Hidden behind this screen is gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum, in addition to many other minerals from conflict-afflicted or high-risk areas. They are in your phone, your tablet, your computer and a range of other things we use on a daily basis (cars, jewelry, light bulbs). Unfortunately, the extraction, purchase, and sale of these minerals are tied to the funding of armed groups in places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Colombia, Honduras, Myanmar…the list –as well as the number of victims of electronic consumerism– is endless.

In 2017 we succeeded in getting the European Union to adopt legislation to promote the responsible sourcing of conflict minerals. While it is a step in the right direction, there is still a long way to go. The regulation only affects importers of raw or processed ore and won’t take effect until January 1, 2021. Which is why we need your signature to help break the link between technology and human rights violations. With your help, we can:

• Raise awareness about the public’s demand for conflict-free technology.
• Convince our political representatives in Europe to effectively put the regulation they approved into practice and to carry out the complementary measures necessary to ensure proper implementation.
• Ask our public administrations to introduce ethical standards in the purchasing of electronic devices.
• Demand that the companies that use these minerals practice due diligence in their supply chains.