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- Info
RAID vs. Alex Stewart (Assayers) Ltd
Case overview
| Date filed |
28
June
2004
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| Current status |
Withdrawn
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| Issue |
UK companies & illegal resource exploitation in DRC
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| Summary of the case |
In October 2002, a United Nations Panel of Experts accused 85 OECD-based companies of violating the Guidelines for their direct or indirect roles in the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Panel alleged that “elite networks” of political and military elites and businesspersons fueled the conflict in order to retain their control over the country’s vast natural resources. The Panel accused Alex Stewart (Assayers) Ltd. of acting as an assayer for Eagle Wings Resources International, a company that according to the Panel was trading in coltan from Rwanda-controlled eastern DRC. The Panel stated that EWRI received privileged access to coltan sites and captive labour, because of its close ties to the Rwandan military (see: FoE US & RAID vs. Trinitech).
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| Developments/Outcome |
The cases against Alex Stewart (Assayers) Ltd has been blocked by the UK NCP. The UK NCP claimed the case was resolved by the UN Panel and could not be reopened. Due to the NCP’s inaction, RAID withdrew the complaint. |
| Relevant OECD Guidelines |
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| Case keywords |
Supply chain,
Extractives / mining sector,
Human rights,
Forced labour,
Parallel (legal) proceedings,
United Nations,
Violent conflict
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NCP Information
Complainant
Company Information
Timeline of developments
| Date |
Actor |
Action |
Description |
Document |
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28
February
2007
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Rights and Accountability in Development |
case dropped |
RAID withdraws the complaint. The UK NCP claims the case has been resolved by the UN Panel and cannot be reopened. |
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28
June
2004
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Rights and Accountability in Development |
file |
Complaint filed with UK NCP. |
download pdf
(49Kb)
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