Human Rights Watch recently called on the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child to take concrete steps to address the unresolved issue of toxic spills at the Lega Dembi gold mine in Ethiopia. The organization emphasized the persistent health problems faced by children living near the mine, linked to exposure to hazardous chemicals including mercury, lead, and arsenic. The impact on children’s health raises serious concerns, particularly given Ethiopia’s obligations under Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to protect children from environmental pollution.
A detailed report by Human Rights Watch stressed the Ethiopian government’s failure to honor commitments made after widespread protests from 2018 to 2021, which called for a suspension of the mine’s operations until necessary environmental safeguards were in place. Despite this, the operations were resumed without public notice, following a confidential accord with Midroc Investment Group, the company managing the mine. This development has sparked alarm and the demand for accountability, as local communities continue to suffer from the mine’s environmental impact. Further insights are available in a detailed account on JURIST.
The situation at Lega Dembi is seen as part of a broader issue affecting several other African nations, where similar environmental and health challenges have arisen due to mining activities. A report presented to the UN Human Rights Council in 2022 cited parallel problems in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, and South Africa. The report underlined that communities often find it difficult to secure remedies and justice, leaving many without adequate compensation or medical assistance.
The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights affirm the responsibility of companies to engage in due diligence to prevent engagement in activities that might infringe on human rights. Moreover, the recognition by the UN Human Rights Council of a right to a healthy environment in 2022 further underscores the need for urgent action. Human Rights Watch’s recommendations for international oversight come as the CRC prepares to discuss the situation of children’s rights in Ethiopia with the government, creating a crucial opportunity to press for the cessation of mine operations and the initiation of an independent health and environmental impact investigation.