Amnesty alleges killings and forced labour at M23-linked mines in eastern Congo

Amnesty International has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of serious abuses against miners in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including alleged killings, torture and forced labour.

The rights group said M23 controls dozens of artisanal mines across North Kivu and South Kivu. It said its findings were based on interviews with 26 people and documented the alleged killing of 18 miners at the Rubaya coltan mine and the Lomera gold mine.

Allegations at mining sites

According to Amnesty International, workers at the affected sites extract gold and coltan, minerals described as essential to the global electronics industry. The organisation said the alleged abuses could amount to war crimes.

Amnesty also alleged that gold and coltan from areas under M23 control are being smuggled into neighbouring Rwanda. The claims concern mining activity in a region where the conflict has devastated communities across eastern Congo.

No response to requests for comment

M23 and Rwandan authorities did not respond to Amnesty International’s requests for comment, according to the report.

Rwanda has previously denied accusations that it profits from Congo’s minerals or supports the rebels.

Amnesty’s account does not provide dates for the alleged killings or abuses. It also does not identify the people interviewed or the 18 miners it says were allegedly killed, and does not specify the full list of mines it says are controlled by M23.