Human Rights : Canadian corporations: Canadian businesses out of control in DR Congo, need for Cdn regulation

Below is the complete text of an email newletter received and treated here as a news release.

TITLE: D R Congo: Kilwa massacre highlights need for regulation of Canadian businesses overseas
GENRE: Press Release, Montreal
CATEGORY: Resource Extraction
DATE: 10/14/2005
SOURCES: Entraide Missionnaire; Rights & Democracy
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Anniversary of Kilwa massacre in R D Congo highlights need for regulation of Canadian businesses overseas 

Exactly one year ago, in the remote town of Kilwa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Army suppressed a small-scale rebellion by killing dozens of people. Anvil Mining Corporation, which is registered as a Canadian company on the Toronto Stock Exchange and operates the Dikulushi Mine nearby, admitted it provided the troops with “logistical assistance,” including planes, vehicles, drivers, food and even some payment.

The human rights violations that took place between Oct 14 – 16, 2004 in Kilwa are well-documented, most recently by a report from the United Nations Mission in the Congo (MONUC) as well as by local and international human rights organizations (ASADHO-Katanga, Rights and Accountability In Development – UK, among others) Anvil says it had no choice but to respond to the DRC government’s request for assistance. However, international human rights groups think otherwise, and question the adequacy of Anvil’s reporting to the Canadian and Australian stock exchanges as well as to the World Bank which approved a $5 million (US) in political risk insurance a few months after the event.  

“If companies are going to operate in conflict zones, it is imperative that they take steps to ensure they are not complicit in any way with human rights violations,” said Jean-Louis Roy, President of Montreal-based Rights & Democracy.  “Certainly this is what is expected internationally, in standards such as the Global Compact and the UN Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regards to Human Rights.   From the evidence gathered by the UN investigators, it seems that Anvil did not take the necessary steps to ensure that its legitimate mining investment would not be used to strengthen the hand of those who systematically violate human rights.” 

Denis Tougas of Entraide Missionnaire, who has observed the evolving situation of the DRC for many years,  states: “In many regions of the DRC, Canada is known first and foremost by its mining companies, especially the juniors who are known to take risks to make money. The Congo is a destination of choice for such enterprises. Regulation regarding human rights and environmental matters are notoriously weak.  This has to change.”  

The Canadian Government is expected to respond to a June Parliamentary Committee report on mining and human rights next week. The report contains several recommendations including passing new legislation to make compliance with international human rights standards compulsory for Canadian companies operating overseas.  

Rights & Democracy and Entraide Missionnaire are prepared to respond to media requests on this issue, as well as to provide journalists with additional background materials.

Contacts:  
Denis Tougas,
Entraide missionnaire:  514 – 270 - 6089

*Entraide missionnaire is an organisation sponsored by Francophone religious communities that works to train and educate people on questions of international solidarity.

Entraide Missionaire
15 De Castelnau Ouest
Montreal, Quebec H2R 2W3
Canada Voice: (514) 270-6089
Fax: (514) 270-6156
Email: emi@web.net

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Steve Smith,
Rights & Democracy:     
514 – 898 – 4157

*Rights & Democracy is a Canadian institution with an international mandate. Created by Parliament in 1988, it is an independent organization that promotes, advocates and defends the democratic and human rights set out in the International Bill of Human Rights.

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I don't agree with the strong leftist rhetoric that saturates both of these organizations. However, on this issue of conduct abroad of Canadian businesses, especially those in the extractive industries and the mining industry in particular (tho the complicity of oil company Talisman (still a Canadian player in oil, but has sold its interests in Sudan where it was implicated in human rites violations), nevertheless the gross behaviour of some Canadian companies remains so subChristian and so subhuman that both Entraide Missionaire and Rights & Democracy should be praised for following thru on this case. - Politicarp