Editor's Note: This post was submitted by Candice H. Knezevic, Campaign Manager of RAISE Hope for Congo, an organization working to protect and empower Congolese women and girls.
If you could choose between purchasing a cell phone whose components funded mass atrocities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and one that was conflict-free, which would you choose?
Most of us would choose not to put our money in the pockets of some of the world’s worst human rights abusers. The bad news is, we haven’t been given that choice yet.
But the good news is that there’s a bill in Congress that would give us that choice. The Conflict Minerals Trade Act (HR 4128), introduced by Reps. Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Frank Wolf (R-VA), would help develop the means to ensure that the multimillion-dollar trade in minerals from eastern Congo, which wind up in our electronics products from cell phone to laptops, stops financing the violence in Congo.
If passed, this bill would create a system of audits and import declarations that would distinguish those goods imported into the United States that contain conflict minerals from those that are conflict-free. This system applies to products containing the main minerals financing violence in Congo--tin, tungsten, and tantalum, or the 3 Ts, as we like to call them. The resulting transparency would mean that consumers could make an educated choice when deciding whether to buy products containing conflict minerals from Congo.
So, you might be asking yourself, what can I can do to help?
Here’s how: Congress will be on recess for President’s Day from February 15-19, and your Representative will be home in your district. This is a perfect opportunity for you to gather a group of friends and schedule a meeting with your Representative to urge him or her to cosponsor the Conflict Minerals Trade Act and push for its passage. Check out Raise Hope for Congo for more information, talking points, and other resources to help you get started.
One hour of your time next week could go a long way in making sure that your consumer electronics purchases aren’t financing the deadliest war since World War II.
So what are you waiting for?
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Photo courtesy of RAISE Hope for Congo
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