Briefing Document

Le gouvernement congolais exige un approvisionnement responsable du secteur minier national

20th October 2011

Global Witness salue la décision récente du gouvernement congolais de contraindre les compagnies minières et les entreprises qui font le commerce des minerais opérant en République démocratique du Congo (RDC) à soumettre leurs chaînes d’approvisionnement à des contrôles, conformément aux normes internationales, afin de s’assurer que leurs activités commerciales ne financent pas les parties belligérantes dans l’est du pays.

Congo government requires domestic minerals sector to source responsibly

11th October 2011
Global Witness welcomes the Congolese government’s recent decision to compel mining and mineral trading companies operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to carry out checks on their supply chains, in line with international standards, to ensure their trade is not financing the warring parties in the east of the country.

Global Witness welcomes the Congolese government’s recent decision to compel mining and mineral trading companies operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to carry out checks on their supply chains, in line with international standards, to ensure their trade is not financing the warring parties in the east of the country.

Submission to the Financial Action Task Force in response to standards review: second round

19th September 2011
This submission is in response to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) consultation, The Review of Standards – Preparation for the 4th Round of Mutual Evaluations: Second public consultation. It follows on from the previous round of consultation, including the private sector meeting held in November 2010, which three Task Force members attended: Global Financial Integrity, Global Witness andTransparency International.

This submission is in response to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) consultation, The Review of Standards – Preparation for the 4th Round of Mutual Evaluations: Second public consultation.

Joint NGO submission to the UK government's consultation on the anti-money laundering regulations

30th August 2011
Global Witness and a number of other civil society organisations are deeply concerned about the UK government's proposal to water down the anti-money laundering regulations. This submission lays out in detail our objections to the planned removal of existing criminal penalties for banks that do not do enough to curb financial crime.

Global Witness and a number of other civil society organisations are deeply concerned about the UK government's proposal to water down the anti-money laundering regulations. This submission lays out in detail our objections to the planned removal of existing criminal penalties for banks that do not do enough to curb financial crime.

Joint civil society letter to the G20 calling for action to tackle corruption

25th August 2011
Global Witness, along with over 400 other civil society groups, have written to the G20's anti-corruption working group outlining their priorities for the upcoming Cannes G20 summit. This follows on from a previous letter sent in February that included a number of recommendations for how G20 members should implement the Seoul Anti-Corruption Action Plan.

Global Witness, along with over 400 other civil society groups, have written to the G20's anti-corruption working group outlining their priorities for the upcoming Cannes G20 summit.

El primer AVA de America Central? Perspectivas del FLEGT en Honduras

22nd August 2011

A principios de abril de 2011, después de algunos contactos iniciales entre Honduras y la Unión Europea (UE) efectuados a mediados de 2010, se llevaron a cabo una serie de reuniones y talleres en Honduras con el objetivo de explorar la posible negociación de un Acuerdo Voluntario de Asociación (AVA) entre ambas partes. Se espera que en los próximos meses se produzcan nuevos avances.

The Dodd Frank Act's Section 1502 on conflict minerals

10th August 2011
For over a decade, the trade in conflict minerals has fueled human rights abuses and promoted insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, passed by the US Congress in July 2010, includes a provision – section 1502 – aimed at stopping the national army and rebel groups in the DRC from illegally using profits from the minerals trade to fund their fight. Section 1502 is a disclosure requirement that calls on companies to determine whether their products contain conflict minerals – by carrying out supply chain due diligence – and to report this to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This legislation has the potential to make a significant impact on the ground in the DRC; however, there has been considerable fear-mongering and spreading of misinformation about its requirements and likely impact. This document seeks to clarify some of the most common misconceptions.

For over a decade, the trade in conflict minerals has fueled human rights abuses and promoted insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, passed by the US Congress in July 2010, includes a provision – section 1502 – aimed at stopping the national army and rebel groups in the DRC from illegally using profits from the minerals trade to fund their fight.

The Dodd-Frank Act – recent developments and the case for urgent action.

10th August 2011
The trade in metals that power our laptops and make our cell phones vibrate has helped to fuel the devastating war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Dodd Frank Act is a groundbreaking measure that aims to cut off a major source of cash for armed groups in the region. Global Witness is concerned that a very real debate about how best to implement the law properly and effectively is being obscured by a powerful business lobby.

Read briefing document which seeks to clarify some of the most common misconceptions about the Dodd Frank Act.

Pandering to the Loggers: WWF fails to address key concerns outlined in Global Witness report

4th August 2011
Global Witness’ report Pandering to the Loggers exposed significant failings in WWF’s flagship sustainable timber scheme, the Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN). Global Witness is concerned that WWF’s responses to the report have so far failed to address the specific issues raised.

Last week, Global Witness’ report Pandering to the Loggers exposed significant failings in WWF’s flagship sustainable timber scheme, the Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN). Global Witness is concerned that WWF’s responses to the report have so far failed to address the specific issues raised.

Congo-China agreement: Publication of new documents

1st August 2011
Global Witness recently gained access to two documents relating to the multi-billion dollar agreement signed between a consortium of Chinese companies and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the public interest, the organisation is making the documents available online today.

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