Prince Harry's Charity Concedes to Human Rights Abuses in Africa

African Parks, linked to Prince Harry, acknowledges human rights violations by its rangers following an independent review, but withholds details surrounding the findings and future actions.

A prominent conservation charity connected to Prince Harry, African Parks, has publicly recognized that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers in Congo-Brazzaville, following an independent review prompted by allegations from the Baka community. These allegations included serious abuses such as beating, waterboarding, and rape aimed at limiting the locals' access to their ancestral forests that are now part of a conservation area.

Despite the gravity of the situation, African Parks has opted not to release specific findings of the independent review. The charity, which manages the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, released a statement admitting to the abuses but gave no further details. The review was undertaken by Omnia Strategy LLP, a law firm led by Cherie Blair, and has been ongoing since December 2023. Omnia confirmed its findings were delivered directly to African Parks but did not disclose details to the public.

In response to inquiries from the BBC regarding the review's results, representatives from both Omnia and Doughty Street Chambers declined to comment further. The BBC has also sought a response from Prince Harry, who holds a position on the board of African Parks and has been actively involved in the charity since 2016.

In its defense, African Parks asserts that it has made significant improvements in its safeguarding measures over the past five years, particularly within Odzala-Kokoua National Park. Actions taken include hiring an anthropologist to better support the Baka communities, collaboration with local human rights organizations, and plans for an independent human rights impact assessment.

Survival International, an organization advocating for indigenous rights, has harshly criticized African Parks for its lack of transparency regarding the investigation's results. They emphasized that, while African Parks promises additional reports and personnel, previous ethos have failed to prevent violations of international human rights law. The charity has been aware of these allegations against the Baka community since 2013 but previously stated that it faced challenges in obtaining cooperation from Survival in uncovering the issues due to concerns over local retaliation.

Headquartered in Johannesburg, African Parks oversees 23 protected areas across 13 African nations and counts among its patrons several influential backers. Prince Harry, who previously served as the charity's president for six years, became a board member in 2023. Its financial backing includes significant contributions from notable individuals and organizations.

As Prince Harry continues to navigate his philanthropic commitments, reflecting on these troubling revelations may shape the future direction of his involvement with African Parks and similar charities.