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Community Organizations Global Witness
Global Witness
Global Witness
Non-profit organization

Location

Lloyds Chambers 1 Portsoken Street London, E1 8BT
United Kingdom

Global Witness exposes the hidden links between demand for natural resources, corruption, armed conflict and environmental destruction

Mission

Many of the world’s worst environmental and human rights abuses are driven by the exploitation of natural resources and corruption in the global political and economic system.  Global Witness is campaigning to end this. We carry out hard-hitting investigations, expose these abuses, and campaign for change.  We are independent, not-for-profit, and work with partners around the world in our fight for justice.

Vision

We want a better world -- where corruption is challenged and accountability prevails, all can thrive within the planet’s boundaries, and governments act in the public interest.

For two decades we’ve been campaigning for full transparency in the mining, logging, oil and gas sectors, so that citizens who own those resources can benefit fairly from them, now and in future.

We believe that the only way to protect peoples’ rights to land, livelihoods and a fair share of their national wealth is to demand total transparency in the resources sector, sustainable and equitable resources management, and stopping the international financial system from propping up resource-related corruption.

Members:

Resources

Displaying 36 - 40 of 45

Rush and ruin: the devastating mineral trade in Southern Katanga

December, 2003
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Sub-Saharan Africa

This report explores how the illicit trade in cobalt and copper in Katanga (south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo) is contributing to the destruction of the country’s economy, the environment as well as the livelihoods of thousands of Congolese people.As the report demonstrates, the volume of the illegal mineral trade is immense. In March 2004 the Central Bank of Congo reported the DRC produced 783 tonnes of cobalt metal.

A conflict of interests: the uncertain future of Burma's forests

December, 2003

Burma is resource rich, and principal among these resources is timber. This report, based on research and fieldwork carried out by Global Witness in Burma, Thailand and China, examines the roots of the civil war and how conflict and an authoritarian regime (the State Peace and Development Council - SPDC) have been sustained through the exploitation of Burma’s natural resources.The paper argues that Burma is the epitome of unrealised potential - a poor country rich in natural resources and social capital.