Prince Harry Urged to Cut Ties with Conservation Charity Amid Allegations of Human Rights Abuses

A leading conservation charity, African Parks, which Prince Harry is involved with, is under fire following accusations of running an armed militia.

Recent revelations from an investigation by the Mail on Sunday have shed light on the alleged misconduct of guards employed by the charity, who are said to have committed various human rights violations against indigenous communities.

Since 2016, Prince Harry has been actively engaged with African Parks, assuming the role of president in December 2017 and later joining the governing board of directors in the subsequent year.

As the president of African Parks, the Duke of Sussex plays a pivotal role in advancing the organization's mission to safeguard Africa's national parks and promote wildlife conservation efforts both locally and globally.

Calls for Prince Harry to disassociate himself from African Parks have intensified following reports of abuse perpetrated by the charity's guards, including incidents of beatings, rape, and torture against indigenous peoples.

Survival International, an advocacy group championing the rights of indigenous communities, has initiated a campaign urging the prince and other donors to sever ties with African Parks in light of these disturbing allegations.

The charity, operating in 12 African nations through partnerships with governments, has faced damning testimonies alleging the mistreatment of the baka people, an indigenous group.

Reports suggest that the baka have been prevented from accessing forests where they traditionally gather food, fish, hunt, and gather medicinal plants, a practice spanning generations.

Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International, condemned the reported atrocities, labeling the actions of African Parks rangers as brutal and accusing them of facilitating the exploitation of the baka people and their natural resources.

Pearce emphasized the urgency for Prince Harry to distance himself from the charity to prevent further complicity in the alleged abuses.

In response to the escalating controversy, a spokesperson for Prince Harry's foundation, Archewell, stated that upon learning of the serious allegations, the prince promptly escalated the matter to the CEO and Chairman of the Board of African Parks.

The foundation emphasized the importance of addressing the issues through appropriate channels.

The baka community, residing in Odzala-Kokowa National Park in the Republic of Congo under African Parks' management since 2010, has reportedly endured hardships due to the alleged actions of the charity's guards.

Despite receiving funding from various sources, including the EU, the US government, and affluent philanthropists, African Parks faces mounting scrutiny over its treatment of indigenous populations.

Survival International highlighted a broader pattern of suffering and displacement faced by traditional communities across Africa and Asia at the hands of conservation organizations.

The group previously reached out to Prince Harry in May regarding instances of violence and abuse, including a harrowing case of a young mother allegedly raped by a guard, leading to her arrest and subsequent financial penalties.

In a recent statement, African Parks reiterated its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse and affirmed its dedication to upholding the rights of local and indigenous populations.

Meanwhile, Archewell, Prince Harry's foundation, clarified that it had not contributed financially to African Parks, underscoring a stance against the reported abuses while emphasizing the need for concrete actions to address the situation.