SDGs Collaborative Research Unit Relationship between Minerals Extraction and Human Rights Violation in Conflict-Affected Area ： Have Conflict Minerals Regulations brought about Mechanism Change in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

Minerals Extraction under the conflict situation has become the main factor of human rights violations since the 2000s. To solve this issue, OECD and U.S. have introduced regulations on conflict minerals trade in 2010. How has this international community’s involvement changed the mechanisms where conflict actors obtain funds from minerals and engage in human rights violations?
Through a case study on Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), this research investigates the impact of conflict minerals regulation on the interest and behavior of actors, including DRC government, the governments of neighboring countries, Western governments, conflict actors (such as armed groups and the military), firms, and aid organizations. In doing so, this research identifies how the mechanism linking conflict and minerals is changed as a result of this involvement.