CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Congo ’s government is questioning Apple about the tech company’s knowledge of “blood minerals” from a conflict zone in the African country that could be smuggled into its supply chains and is demanding answers within three weeks.
A group of international lawyers representing Congo said Thursday that they sent letters to Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and its French subsidiary this week, raising concerns about human rights violations involving the minerals extracted from mines in the country’s troubled east that might end up being used in the company’s products. They included a list of questions challenging Apple to show how it monitors its supply chains in a region where more than 100 armed rebel groups operate, some of whom have been accused of carrying out mass killings of civilians.
Writing to Cook, the lawyers said “it has become clear to us that year after year, Apple has sold technology made with minerals sourced from a region whose population is being devastated by grave violations of human rights.”
Turkish rail officials jailed for more than 108 years for crash that left 25 dead
Commanders release Shaka Toney after he was reinstated following a gambling suspension
PEN America calls off awards ceremony amid criticism over its response to Israel
When Danish police pulled a woman over, she locked herself in her car and refused to talk
William Nylander misses second straight game for Maple Leafs
Lawyer, 50, who paid off her tax bill with client's £132,000 divorce settlement avoids jail
Baltimore leaders accuse ship's owner and manager of negligence in Key Bridge collapse
Spring/summer jean trends: Seven celeb
49ers GM hopes to get Brandon Aiyuk contract extension done sooner rather than later