RAID's mission is to promote a rights-based approach to development. RAID works to advance corporate accountability, fair investment and good governance to ensure the human rights of people living in poverty are respected by the private sector, international financial institutions and governments.

Anvil Mining's Dikulushi Mine and the Kilwa Incident

RAID has focused attention on the use made by the Congolese military of Anvil Mining Limited's logistic and personnel in a counter-offensive to crush insurgents in the town of Kilwa, Democratic Republic of Congo in October 2004.

RAID's Kilwa trial chronicle

© Four Corners

Promoting fair investment in the DR Congo's mining sector

RAID has been at the forefront in pressing the World Bank to instigate a review of all mining contracts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that were concluded during the war and subsequent transitional period.

In the early 1990s, the DRC’s state mining enterprise, Gecamines, was the most lucrative source of revenue. Today, Gecamines has been stripped of virtually all of its assets and ore bodies through a number of disadvantageous contracts.

RAID is seeking a commitment from all companies that are confident in the fairness of their contracts with Gecamines to demonstrate this by agreeing to an independent, transparent re-evaluation of their agreements. As part of this commitment, companies would renegotiate any parts of their contracts that are not consistent with the World Bank’s recommendations.

Promoting corporate accountability and the human rights responsibilities of business

RAID advocates for binding corporate accountability frameworks, particularly the development of international norms on the human rights responsibilities of companies. A major focus of RAID's work involves demanding corporate adherence to the international human rights framework and other relevant corporate responsibility instruments, including the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are the only multilateral corporate responsibility instrument that has been adopted by the 30 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and several non-OECD members.  Endorsing governments have obligations to promote adherence by multinational companies, including handling complaints brought against companies alleged to be in violation. 

UN Panel of Experts: Illegal Exploitation of natural resources in the DR Congo