December 06

Conflict Minerals. Global Witness

Conflict and conflict resolution Resources Congo (DRC) Trackbacks (0)

Conflict minerals are used by armed groups to fund violence and insurrection. Global Witness’s work on conflict minerals currently focuses on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where fighting has continued for over 10 years, driven by the trade in valuable minerals. Millions of people have died, and many more have been displaced.

There are four main minerals being mined in the Congo: cassiterite (the ore for tin), coltan (the ore for a rare metal called tantalum), wolframite (tungsten ore), and gold. The illicit trade provides rebel groups and units of the national army with tens of millions of dollars a year that they use to buy guns and shore up their rival campaigns.

http://www.globalwitness.org/campaigns/conflict/conflict-minerals

Thanks to my colleague, Susan Ogterop, for this.

October 05

DRC: Mapping Human Rights Violations 1993-2003. UN High Commissioner For Human Rights

Human Rights Violence Congo (DRC) Trackbacks (0)

This controversial report from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights outlines "indescribable" atrocities committed in the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 1993 to 2003, when tens of thousands of people were killed, and numerous others raped and mutilated by both armed Congolese group and foreign military forces.

 

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AfricaRegion/Pages/RDCProjetMapping.aspx
September 29

Always On The Run The Vicious Cycle Of Displacement In Eastern Congo. Human Rights Watch

Displaced persons and Refugees Congo (DRC) Trackbacks (0)
This 88-page report documents abuses against the displaced by all warring parties in all phases of displacement – during the attacks that uproot them; after they have been displaced and are living in the forests, with host families, or in camps; and after they or the authorities decide it is time for them to return home. The report is based on interviews with 146 people displaced from their homes in eastern Congo, as well as government officials, humanitarian workers, and journalists. Download this report (PDF, 704.38 KB)
 
April 14

Environmental Crime And Conflict In The Congo Basin. UNEP

Environment Congo (DRC) Trackbacks (0)

 

A report by the UNEP suggests that crime and confilict in the Congo basin has put the spotlight on the survival of gorrilas, The Last Stand of the Gorilla.

UN Pulse: Permanent Link: UNEP: Environmental Crime and Conflict in the Congo Basin

January 06

Democratic Republic Of The Congo. UN Group Of Experts

United Nations Congo (DRC) Trackbacks (0)
Reports of The Group of Experts Submitted through the Security Council Committee eatablished Pursuant to Resolution 1533 (2004) concerning The Democratic Republic of the Congo This site provides free access to reports and papers from a special committee of the United Nations Security Council which was established in 2004 to oversee the relevant sanctions measures set out by the Security Council in relation to DR Congo. The website includes information on the remit of the group, its membership and activities. It includes the full text of related sanctions, resolutions and annual reports from 2004 onwards. Topics covered include international security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, recruitment of armies and child soldier ; arms and weapons transfers. Intute.ac.uk
http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1533/index.shtml
December 18

DRC Experts Report. UN

United Nations Congo (DRC) Trackbacks (0)

The final report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been issued (S/2008/773). The document reports on 12 weeks of field work in the region, in particular in the North and South Kivu provinces. The report makes recommendations and has annexed many examples of evidence.

UN Pulse permalink

November 25

DRC

Congo (DRC) Trackbacks (0)

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Amnesty International resources
This site is maintained by international human rights group Amnesty International. It provides free access to press releases, statements, maps, campaign materials and full text Amnesty International reports relating to human rights in the DR Congo. Thses include coverage of armed conflict, refugees, humanitarian aid, political violence, torture and ill treatment in the region. Materials generally date from approximately 1998 onwards.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo- tracking the Eastern Congo conflict : Ushahidi
Ushahidi is an interesting example of web 2.0 technology being used by grass roots activists. It uses mashup technology to provide summaries and locate on maps and satellite images the extent and nature of incidents during the war / conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC Congo) in 2008. On the ground citizen journalists send in reports via mobile phones, these are then mapped online and sent for NGOs and aid agencies for verification. Users of the site can view the latest messages, recorded incidents plus news links to headlines from official news agencies and peace keepers operating in the region. Incidents recorded include human rights abuses, torture and political violence.
http://drc.ushahidi.com/

Intute.ac.uk

November 23

DRC, Human Security Gateway And British Foreign And Commonwealth Office

Human Rights United Kingdom Security Congo (DRC) Trackbacks (0)

Democratic republic of the Congo: Human Security Gateway resources
The Human Security Gateway is a joint project of the Human Security Centre (HSC) Group and Simon Fraser University It aims to provide researchers with a searchable database of links to key websites, full-text reports, journal articles, news items and fact sheets relating to human security worldwide. Human security is defined as the protection of individuals from wars, civil wars and violence. It website enables users to search or browse by country or topic. Topics covered include: peace keeping operations, children and armed conflict, international humanitarian law, gender and security and refugees. Each resource has an added description of content. The section on DRC Congo includes discussion of conflict and war in the region, the humanitarian crisis in 2008, human rights abuses, refugees and the peace keeping process. Intute.ac.uk
http://www.humansecuritygateway.info/search.php?advanced=yes®ions[]=7

Democratic Republic of the Congo: FCO resources
This site is maintained by the British Foreign and Commonwealth office (FCO). It provides free access to materials from the British government about the political and economic situation in the region and British foreign policy towards the DRC Congo. It includes recent press releases, statements by the Foreign secretary, Foreign Office advice and links to related webcasts of parliamentary debaates. Topics covered include political crises and conflict. The main emphasis is upon current news. Intute.ac.uk
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/newsfiles1/drc/

November 07

Democratic Republic Of Congo: 2 More Web Sites

Africa Congo (DRC) Trackbacks (0)

Council on Foreign Relations: Democratic Rep. of Congo
Compilation of background and analysis about politics in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including an October 2008 podcast on "the recent escalation in conflict in eastern Congo," an October 2008 special report outlining a U.S. policy agenda for the Democratic Republic of Congo, opinion pieces on genocide, and related material. From the Council on Foreign Relations.
URL: http://www.cfr.org/region/171/democratic_rep_of_congo.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27074

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MONUC: UN Mission in DR Congo
Background and news from this United Nations (UN) mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo established to "facilitate the implementation of the Lusaka Accord signed in 1999. With a budget exceeding one billion dollars, it is the largest and most expensive mission in the Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO)." News stories are viewable by date or by region or topic (elections, military, human rights). Also includes interviews, photos, and videos.
URL: http://www.monuc.org/Home.aspx?lang=en
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/27072

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