UN member states should take strong action in response to new information about companies and individuals who trade in minerals from areas of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) controlled by armed groups, Global Witness said today.

The latest report from the Group of Experts was submitted to the UN Security Council last week, and subsequently leaked to a number of news organisations. Due to be officially published in December 2009, the report provides new and detailed evidence of the international mineral trading networks which Congolese armed groups rely on as a major source of finance.

Mineral processors Thailand Smelting and Refining Company (THAISARCO) -- part of the British metals group AMC -- and Malaysian Smelting Corporation (MSC) are among the companies cited, once again, by the Group of Experts as sourcing minerals from suppliers who have links with some of the most violent armed groups.

"AMC and MSC are among the persistent offenders," said Global Witness Campaigns Director Gavin Hayman. "They have been named time and time again in reports by the Group of Experts and Global Witness, yet continue to use suppliers and middlemen who buy from mines controlled by armed groups."

The armed groups involved in the illicit mineral trade include the predominantly Rwandan Hutu Forces démocratiques pour la libération du Rwanda (FDLR), some of whose leaders allegedly participated in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, and the Tutsi-led Congrès national pour la défense du peuple (CNDP). Despite officially joining the Congolese national army in early 2009, the CNDP maintains many of its former command structures, and has extended its control over mining areas since its forces became integrated into the army. As part of the UN-backed Operation Kimia II, Congolese army units headed by former CNDP commanders have taken over and exploited mining sites previously occupied by the FDLR.

Global Witness is calling on UN member states to push for companies and individuals named in the Group of Experts' successive reports in connection with their purchases of conflict minerals to be included on the UN sanctions list. Sanctions should also be imposed on the directors of the main Congolese mineral exporters, known as comptoirs, cited in the report.

"There has been a shocking lack of action by member states to cut off the finance which armed groups derive from the mineral trade", said Gavin Hayman. "To date, no companies, mineral traders or processors have been put on the UN sanctions list, despite abundant evidence that their activities are contributing to keeping armed groups alive. The damning evidence in the latest Group of Experts report should now oblige states to act."

Global Witness is especially urging states where named companies or individuals are domiciled to hold these operators to account. "The UK is a case in point", said Gavin Hayman. "It is extraordinary that the UK government has still not taken any effective measures against the British companies and UK nationals involved in this trade. The new Experts' report should trigger immediate action."

1. • UN human rights chief announces release date for DR Congo Mapping Report (September 2, 2010)
2. • Key excerpts from UN report on Rwandan army genocide in DR Congo (August 27, 2010)
3. • UN report says Rwandan army committed genocide in DR Congo (August 26, 2010)
4. • UN Security Council calls for urgent action over mass DR Congo rape (August 26, 2010)
5. • UN Defends Inaction on Mass Rapes in Eastern Congo, Government Missing in Action (August 26, 2010)
6. • FDLR Rebels Continue Campaign of Terror in Eastern Congo (August 23, 2010)
7. • Two Suspects Arrested in Attack on MONUSCO Base (August 20, 2010)
8. • UN: Risks Increasing For Humanitarian Aid Workers (August 19, 2010)
9. • Ban Ki-moon deplores deadly attack against blue helmets in North Kivu (August 18, 2010)
10. • Congo Army Killed Ugandan Rebels Commander in North Kivu - Government (August 4, 2010)
11. • Global Witness takes UK government to court over Congo conflict minerals (July 26, 2010)
12. • U.S. passes landmark reforms on resource transparency (July 15, 2010)
13. • Ban Ki-moon inaugurates new phase of UN mission in DR Congo (July 1, 2010)
14. • Congo Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Independence (June 30, 2010)
15. • UN chief arrives in DR Congo to attend events marking independence anniversary (June 29, 2010)
16. • Top UN envoy bids farewell to first batch of blue helmets leaving DR Congo (June 16, 2010)
17. • Veteran United States diplomat appointed to top UN post in DR Congo (June 9, 2010)
18. • UN experts welcome steps taken in wake of murder of Floribert Chebeya (June 9, 2010)
19. • Joint Government and UN Inquiry Needed into Death of Floribert Chebeya (June 3, 2010)
20. • Top UN officials urge inquiry into killing of Congolese human rights activist (June 3, 2010)
21. • UN to reduce DR Congo peace force (May 28, 2010)
22. • Security Council agrees to convert UN mission in DR Congo into stabilization force (May 28, 2010)
23. • U.S. Official Sees Improvement in Africa's Great Lakes Region (May 26, 2010)
24. • Back from DR Congo, Security Council set to review mandate of UN force (May 17, 2010)
25. • Security Council members depart for two-day visit to DR Congo (May 13, 2010)
26. • Leader of Enyele Rebels Arrested in Equateur (May 5, 2010)
27. • 54 FDLR Rebels Relocated from North Kivu to Katanga (May 4, 2010)
28. • UN chief warns against early withdrawal from DR Congo (April 30, 2010)
29. • U.N. Security Council Cancels Congo Trip (April 16, 2010)
30. • DR Congo army regains control of Mbandaka (April 4, 2010)

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