Global Witness - Breaking the links between natural resources, conflict and corruption
Global Witness's campaign on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) covers a broad range of issues relating to the exploitation of the country's rich and diverse natural resources. Resources such as timber, diamonds, gold, coltan and cassiterite (tin ore) have directly fuelled one of Africa's most brutal wars and have contributed to grave human rights abuses by Congolese and foreign actors during the conflict. Politicians, military and militia groups have plundered the country's natural wealth and used it to enrich themselves at the detriment of the population. Global Witness's campaign aims to document, expose and ultimately break these links.
Global Witness has also documented other problems in the natural resource sector in the DRC, including extensive corruption, lack of transparency and life-threatening labour conditions. The findings of our research are published in reports, briefings and news releases which are widely distributed inside and outside the DRC.
Global Witness staff regularly visit the DRC and neighbouring countries for in-depth field research and advocacy with Congolese and international actors. We maintain close working relationships with Congolese activists and international organisations concerned about abuses in the natural resource sector. We also engage in dialogue with donor governments, United Nations agencies, international financial institutions and companies about ways of improving the management of the DRC's natural resources to ensure that they contribute to the development of the country and to raising the living standards of the Congolese population.
Latest Publications
June 2009
Governments urged to renew commitments as diamond meeting closes
Some progress at Kimberley Process diamond meeting but governments must do more to ensure scheme's effectiveness
Blood Diamonds - Time to Plug the Gaps
The landmark Kimberley Process is in danger of losing its credibility, civil society groups warn today, ahead of a key meeting of the scheme established to stop the trade in blood diamonds.
Verdict on UN Climate Change Talks in Bonn
Global Witness campaigner, Davyth Stewart, reflects on tough week of negotiations in Bonn, which yielded mixed results
Briefing note on imminent oil supply crunch
Global Witness is calling for governments to officially and publicly declare that there is an imminent
oil supply crunch and to take urgent measures to develop safe and sustainable alternative energy
systems
ECA Press Conference at Bonn
Going backwards or forwards on Forests and Climate? Environment groups under the bannner of the Ecosystems Climate Alliance hold joint press conference in Bonn as UN Climate Change meeting draws to a close
Global Groups Call for End to Deforestation in Bonn
Global coalition calls on negotiators to deliver a strong climate deal, warning that they will put all of our survival at risk if they do not act immediately to halt deforestation and the industrial logging of the world's primary forests
Global Witness hails commitment of veteran diamond campaigner
Global Witness today paid tribute to the efforts and commitment of Ian Smillie, a founding member of the Kimberley Process, who has decided to end his participation in the rough diamond certification scheme.
Vested interests - Industrial logging and carbon in tropical forests
Industrial logging is a major source of carbon emissions, a primary driver of deforestation and threatens to derail the UN process to reduce deforestation warns Global Witness in a new report.
