DRC: M23 accused of war crimes and illegal mineral trafficking

Amnesty International has released a report detailing severe human rights violations committed by the M23 armed group in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The report alleges that M23 fighters, who reportedly receive support from Rwanda, have engaged in actions that could constitute war crimes, including summary executions, torture, arbitrary detention, forced labor, and forced recruitment.

Specifically, the report highlights the exploitation of artisanal miners in coltan mines in Rubaya (North Kivu province) and gold mines in Lomera (South Kivu province). Fighters have allegedly forced miners to work underground for extended periods, sometimes for over a week at a time.

The findings also implicate Rwandan authorities in the illegal trafficking of gold and coltan from the DRC into Rwanda. These minerals, extracted through human rights abuses, are reportedly entering global supply chains and ending up in electronic devices used by millions of people worldwide.