Three major U.S. business associations have asked a federal court to block a new corporate disclosure requirement that would reduce slavery in central Africa, according to news reports in the Wall Street Journal and Compliance Week.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers and Business Roundtable want the court to overturn the “conflict mineral” rule approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in August.

Enactment of the rule was a watershed moment for the corporate transparency and anti-slavery movements. It requires companies to investigate their supply chains and disclose if their products contain minerals from conflict areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or surrounding areas. If their products do contain conflict minerals, companies have to report what they’re doing to ensure the profits don’t go to abusive armed groups in eastern Congo.

So-called “conflict minerals” from Congo not only fuel one of history’s deadliest wars. Free the Slaves research has documented that rebel groups and army commanders force Congo residents into slavery at many mining sites.

Congress directed the SEC to develop the new rule as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Four minerals are targeted for corporate disclosure: tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold. All are commonly used to manufacture electronic devices – from cell phones and televisions to computers and high-tech components.

Business groups have complained that complying with the rule will be expensive, but they have not yet disclosed the legal reasoning for their court challenge, according to news reports. The SEC has vowed to defend the rule.

The legal action “pits companies against customers,” according to FTS Programs Director Karen Stauss.

“Consumers and investors more and more want to know that they’re not buying into widespread global slavery and other human rights horrors like those unfolding in DRC,” Stauss says. “It’s a shame that instead of trying to improve their products and their brands — and the world in the bargain – these associations are trying to drive all companies to a lowest common denominator of corporate irresponsibility.”

FTS is pushing for broader accountability standards that would affect all products and raw materials, not just four minerals from central Africa. The SEC rule is an important step for creating a compliance mechanism for American companies.

You can see the impact of conflict-mineral slavery on the children of Africa in our short documentary: Slavery in Your Pocket.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday approved a new rule that requires companies to investigate their supply chains and disclose if their products contain minerals from conflict areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or surrounding areas.

If their products do contain conflict minerals, companies have to report what they’re doing to ensure the profits don’t go to abusive armed groups in eastern Congo.

It’s a watershed moment for the corporate transparency and anti-slavery movements. So-called “conflict minerals” from Congo not only fuel one of history’s deadliest wars. Free the Slaves research has documented that rebel groups and army commanders force Congo residents into slavery at many mining sites.

Congress directed the SEC to develop the new rule as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Four minerals are targeted for corporate disclosure: tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold. All are commonly used to manufacture electronic devices – from cell phones and televisions to computers and high-tech components.

“It’s an historic day, both for Congo and for the movement toward responsible investment at large,” says FTS Programs Director Karen Stauss. “The issuing of the rule will renew the momentum for change on the ground by the DRC mining ministry, local warlords, Congolese civil society and U.N. peacekeepers.”

“At the same time, the finalizing of the rule affirms that the presence of horrific human rights abuses deep within corporate supply chains is and should be a matter of concern to investors – and that affects companies’ bottom lines,” Karen added.

Companies must submit their first annual report to the SEC in May of 2014. You can watch the SEC meeting where the new rule was adopted here.

The SEC rule isn’t as strong as many advocates in the human rights movement would like. For example, there’s a multi-year phase-in period where companies could say they can’t determine if the minerals they use are Congo conflict-free.

But the new regulation is an important step. The anti-slavery movement and socially responsible investor groups support a bill in Congress for companies to investigate their supply chains for all forms of slavery, not just Congo conflict minerals.

The SEC’s new rule creates a precedent for progress.

You can learn more about the impact of Congo slavery, and your connection to it as a consumer, in our short mini-documentary: Slavery in Your Pocket.

Free the Slaves is thrilled to introduce two dynamic individuals who have recently joined us to form our action team for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Jack Kahorha is FTS’ new DRC Coordinator, working on the frontlines. He is based in Goma in eastern DRC. Jack is experienced as a journalist, researcher, and diplomatic staffer. He is a humanitarian who speaks many languages.

Gabriel Deussom is our new DRC Program Manager, based in our headquarters in Washington. Gabriel has a Ph.D. in Political History and has extensive experience working in community development and capacity-building in Cameroon and other African countries.

We asked them about their perspectives on ending slavery in the DRC.

Q: What is your motivation for the work you’re doing?

Jack: Jack has worked as a human rights reporter for many years. He said: “in media, once a story is broadcast, it loses its value.  The situation may have changed positively or not; most of the time journalists don’t come back to it. With the work I am doing with FTS in DRC, I can document a situation and advocate for it until a change intervenes.”

 Gabriel: Gabriel says he is motivated by three factors: his passion for social justice; living in Cameroon, where ethnic divides are tied to historical slavery; and FTS’ unique approach to ending slavery. Gabriel was attracted to FTS because of its emphasis on “local momentum and ownership” and partnerships that are “really relevant to finding solutions.”

 Q: How do you use your prior work experience in your new position at FTS?

Jack: Jack discussed how he is well known and respected because he was a spokesperson for the problems of common people. He would present their problems to the rebels and government officials for reaction, and tried to give all sides a chance to be heard. He sees his work at FTS as an extension of that mission: “This journalistic background helps me to get easy access to people at the grassroots level, as well as humanitarians and officials.”

Gabriel: Gabriel brings valuable experience in African development with him to FTS. He has 10 years of experience working in international development. He also worked for the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) leading capacity-building efforts for civil society in 20 African nations. He has also been a consultant for a number of organizations. Gabriel emphasized his passion over experience, saying, “I have devoted my life and career to social justice.”

Q: What is one thing you want people to know about the DRC?

Jack: “I want people to know that slavery is still a reality in the DRC, and that the country’s constitution firmly forbids all forms of slavery in Article 16. However, there is no effort to end it.” Jack thinks the work FTS and its partners have done to document the existence of various forms of slavery in the DRC “is becoming a tool, a compass for Congolese authorities, to act.”

Gabriel: “I want people to hear about frontline advocates who are working to make change and engage their politicians despite the security situation and other problems.”

 Q: Who is your role model in the anti-slavery movement?

Jack: John Jay was an abolitionist who tried twice to introduce laws to abolish slavery in New York, but failed. He eventually was able to sign an emancipation law as governor, thanks to the New York Society for the Promotion of the Manumission of Slaves, an organization that he created. Jack said the lessons he has learned from John Jay are that: “a dream becomes a reality thanks to one’s determination,” and failure is an opportunity to keep going and create new strategies.

Gabriel: “My heroes are the ones you don’t hear of. They are people who are voiceless. The ones who are coping with difficult situations every day.” He is also inspired by African leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu because they “help you to see the world differently and that you need to contribute to change.”

You can learn more about FTS work in the DRC on our special Congo webpage.

Congress got tough on companies after the 2008 financial meltdown, enacting the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act. It included a vital section to combat exploitation in Congo, called the “Conflict Minerals” provision. The law will require companies to disclose whether their products are made with minerals from the conflict zone.

At a House subcommittee hearing on Thursday, representatives will likely hear that it is hard for companies to comply with the Conflict Minerals law. You can help balance the debate. Call Congress to be sure they hear how hard life is for Congolese people.

Despite nearly a decade of official peace, the Congolese still endure extreme human rights abuses. One reason is that an insecure climate allows the army and rebel and militia groups to continue to benefit illegally from the country’s mineral wealth. Congolese people are enslaved in mines and surrounding areas, forced into labor, sex slavery, debt bondage and hazardous child labor. See our investigative report and video.

The Conflict Minerals law has engaged the American public and major U.S. companies in the fight for peace and against corruption in Congo. For the first time, we understand our connection to the devastation and how we can play a part in ending it. As consumers, we can push companies connected to those mines to root out slavery at the source of their supply chains, and apply pressure for peace. Some critics in the U.S. claim the law has had unintended economic consequences. But our Congolese human rights partners, who work every day in mining areas, support the law.

So what can you do?  Call members of the subcommittee listed below. For maximum effect, do it today or tomorrow morning.

Here’s what you can say:

I am calling because I understand that there will be a hearing on May 10th on conflict minerals regulations. I am deeply concerned about the conflict in eastern Congo and the role of the illegal minerals trade in fueling modern forms of slavery and other human rights abuses.

Please use your role as a member of the subcommittee to ask company representatives what they are doing to address slavery and the illegal trade in conflict minerals. Urge them to do more for peace in Congo by complying with regulations that will be issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Tell them that as consumers, we deserve to know where the minerals in our products are coming from.

Thank you in advance for taking steps to help break the link between the minerals trade in Congo and conflict, slavery and human rights abuse.

Members of the House Financial Services Committee’s International Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee:

Michele Bachmann, MN: (202) 225-2331

John Campbell, CA:  (202) 225-5611

André Carson, IN: (202)-225-4011

Robert J. Dold, IL: (202) 225-4835

Bill Huizenga, MI:  (202) 225-4401

Donald A. Manzullo, IL: (202) 225-5676

Carolyn McCarthy, NY: (202) 225-5516

Thaddeus G. McCotter, MI: (202) 225-8171

Gwen Moore, WI: (202) 225-4572

Gary G. Miller, CA: 202-225-3201

Ron Paul, TX: (202) 225-2831

David Scott, GA: (202) 225-2939

Gwen Moore, WI: (202) 225-4572

Gary G. Miller, CA: 202-225-3201

Ron Paul, TX: (202) 225-2831

David Scott, GA: (202) 225-2939

Thanks for taking action!

 

The news coming out of Congo, and all too often, Africa in general, is mostly dour and depressing. It’s an unbalanced view of a continent that is actually teeming with activism, entrepreneurism, hope, joy and beauty.

With that said, as an anti-slavery organization, part of our role is to expose problems that, frankly, ARE depressing. But our message always includes HOPE that slavery can be ended, and that people most affected by slavery hold the keys to sustainable solutions.

That is why I love a new video series from our friends at the Enough Project’s Raise Hope for Congo campaign. The “I am Congo” video series shows exactly where we get the inspiration to do our work: from the amazing people we meet there all the time.

When I tell people what I do or that I’m traveling to Congo, they usually respond: “Wow, isn’t it awful?” This video series shows why the answer is: “NO! It’s amazing! Congo is beautiful, and the people are amazing, and they inspire you every single day.”

I’ve met two of the five people featured in the launch of “I am Congo.” They fully deserve a shout out: Well done, Fidel and Petna!