Zug-based mining and commodities giant Glencore is facing fierce, detailed criticism of its operations and financial dealings in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Swiss NGOs Bread for All and Fastenopfer, and UK human rights watchdog RAID have issued an exhaustive report accusing the company of allegedly polluting drinking water, evading tax, opaque financial transactions, human rights violations, sanctioning use of disproportionate force by its security contractors, and illegally operating in a nature reserve. While the NGOs’ report quotes responses from the company, Glencore’s management has not been slow in bringing its formidable public relations and lobbying machinery into play. The company issued a statement on 17 June intended to refute each allegation, and CEO Ivan Glasenberg briefed Swiss parliamentarians over lunch.

Calls for better regulation of commodities companies by centre and left-wing politicians in Bern have increased as concerns for Switzerland’s reputation grow, amid claims of asset washing and human rights abuses by foreign companies based here purely to exploit the country’s lack of regulation.

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