Urgent Call to Address the Genocide in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

I urge you to address the ongoing genocide in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Millions in the DRC face atrocities tied to resource exploitation, where systemic rape, mass killings, and forced displacement are rampant. It’s estimated that 48 women are raped every hour in the DRC, and as of October 2023, over 25 million people require humanitarian aid. The conflict has caused over 5 million war-related deaths since 1998, making it one of the deadliest since WWII. This ongoing crisis is driven by economic interests, especially in the mining of cobalt, where the DRC supplies over 60% of the world’s demand. Children as young as 6 work in dangerous conditions, earning less than $2 a day, while thousands are displaced by violence and rebel attacks. The recent escalation between the Congolese army and M23 rebels has worsened the situation, forcing over 100,000 civilians to flee. Rwanda has been accused of supporting the M23 group, while Uganda has also faced allegations of involvement. Countries like the UK and the US have begun freezing aid to Rwanda over these allegations, following UN reports accusing both Rwanda and Uganda of exacerbating the conflict. Tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla are complicit in these atrocities through cobalt mining supply chains, with issues of smuggling, tax evasion, and corruption remaining unchecked. Despite international promises to prevent such atrocities, the global community’s response has been insufficient, allowing the genocide to continue. I urge you to take immediate action on this issue by advocating for the following: 1. Push for a peaceful resolution in the DRC through increased diplomatic efforts. 2. Recognize the genocide of the Congolese people and press for an end to the atrocities. 3. Impose sanctions on M23, Rwanda, Uganda, and any other entities involved. 4. Ensure tech companies respect human rights in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. As your constituent, I ask that you stand for justice and human rights, supporting these efforts in Parliament. The DRC’s crisis cannot be ignored, and your decisive action can help bring peace and accountability to this region.