Well documented atrocities were perpetuated in Congo – modern day Democratic Republic of Congo- between the 19th and 20th century. The Colony at the time was under the personal rule and private control of King Leopold II of Belgium. The heinous acts committed were associated with labour policies engaged in the collection of natural rubber for export. Together with an epidemic, famine, and a falling birth rate caused by these disruptions, the atrocities contributed to a sharp decline in Congolese population. The death tolls leading to population decline over the period is disputed, with modern estimates ranging from 1 million to 15 million deaths.