DRC: 30 months to accelerate the fight against modern slavery in the mining sites of two Kivus
For 30 months, local authorities, civil society actors and artisanal mining operators will see their capacities strengthened in the context of the fight against modern slavery in the mining sites of the province of North Kivu and South Kivu. This is thanks to the partnership agreement signed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on November 24, 2021.
This project generally aims to improve coordination mechanisms to effectively fight against human rights violations in mining supply chains.
“This is a serious violation of basic human rights. The Norwegian government is very sensitive to the fact that the victims who end up in the mines are among the most vulnerable in the DRC. We must come to their aid by strengthening the capacity of local actors to put an end to human rights violations. This is the aim of this project, ”declared the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the DRC, Jon-Åge Øyslebø, on the occasion of the signing ceremony of the partnership agreement.
For his part, the IOM Chief of Mission in the DRC, Fabien Sambussy underlined the importance of supporting government efforts to fight against human trafficking in the mining sector.
“IOM has been engaged with the Congolese government and the Congolese authorities for several years in order to support them and support their efforts in the fight against human trafficking. Today I especially thank the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway for its support and especially in the mining sector, which has witnessed numerous human rights violations. With this project, IOM will continue to support frontline actors in the fight against modern slavery. “
The project is in line with the Congolese government’s objective of due diligence obligations in the mining sector while simultaneously contributing to the training and prevention of human trafficking, as well as the detection, investigation and prosecution of traffickers, while ensuring protection and assistance to victims and witnesses.
