A law proposed by the European Commission on responsible sourcing of minerals is not strong enough to prevent European companies’ mineral purchases from financing conflict or human rights abuses, and falls far short of expectations, European campaigners said this week. Dutch peace organization PAX is one of them.
Apart from it’s weakness – only voluntary measures are proposed – campaigners from over sixty international non-governmental organizations also expressed disappointment that the European Commission’s proposal does not address other natural resources, but rather is limited to the minerals tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold.
“By focusing only on four minerals, the Commission fails to address reports that other natural resources are also fuelling conflict,” said Astrid Schrama from Dutch peace organization PAX. “Our research shows that in Colombia, coal extraction has financed the creation of armed paramilitary groups that have caused the deaths of thousands and has led to the displacement of at least 60,000 people in the mining area of Cesar region.”
Read the full reaction of the coalition of European NGO’s, including PAX.
Read also Plea for strong EU regulation on conflict resources