Prince Harry African Charity Accused Of Abuse Towards Tribespeople | Kinsey Schofield | Cristo

Summary

The Mail on Sunday reports deeply disturbing accusations of violence, rape, and torture by guards working for African Parks, a conservation charity Prince Harry was president of for 6 years. The victims are indigenous tribespeople in the Republic of Congo. Harry's team says he escalated the allegations to African Parks' leadership to address. The charity claims zero tolerance for abuse and an external review is underway. His name brings attention, but without palace staff he may lack oversight on associations. Even royals accepting questionable donations proves assistance doesn't prevent controversy. When celebrities support charities they must prepare to have their brands tied to scandals if allegations emerge.

Takeaways

• 😱 The African Parks charity that Prince Harry helps run has been accused of violence and abuse against indigenous people in Africa.
• 👀 The Mail on Sunday reported disturbing allegations of beatings, rape and torture by charity guards in the Congo rainforests.
• 😨 Victim testimonies detail horrific abuses against the Ba'Aka people living in the forests where the charity operates.
• 😠 Campaigners claim they warned the charity of abuse years ago but nothing was done.
• 😥 Tourists pay thousands to see gorillas as indigenous people suffer abuse nearby.
• 😣 Prince Harry was president of African Parks for 6 years before recently joining the board of directors.
• 🤔 His ties to the charity brought the allegations to light, but it's unclear if he was aware of the abuses.
• 😯 Harry's team says they escalated the claims to African Parks leadership when he found out.
• 🤨 Without palace staff, Harry may lack oversight to spot and address controversies with associated charities.
• 😕 Famous names tied to charities take heat when scandals emerge, reinforcing need for vigilance.

Q & A

What are the allegations against the African Parks charity that Prince Harry is involved with?

The allegations are that guards managed and paid by the African Parks charity have engaged in beating, rape, and torture of indigenous people living in the rainforests of the Republic of Congo.

How long was Prince Harry the president of African Parks?

Prince Harry was the president of African Parks for 6 years before being elevated to its governing board of directors.

How has Prince Harry responded to the allegations against African Parks?

Prince Harry escalated the allegations to the CEO and chairman of the board of African Parks when he became aware of them. He acknowledges that those are the appropriate people to handle next steps.

What steps has African Parks said they will take in response to the allegations?

African Parks says they have a zero tolerance policy for any form of abuse. They have appointed an external law firm to assess the veracity of the allegations and say any new allegations will form part of this ongoing review.

Is it fair to tie Prince Harry's name to the allegations against African Parks?

While Harry likely had no direct knowledge of the alleged atrocities, as a director putting his name to the charity, he does bear some responsibility for being aware of its actions.

How might things have been different if Harry was still a working royal?

If still a working royal, Harry would have had a team staying on top of issues with his charities. The allegations may have been addressed sooner before reaching the level of media attention.

Does the involvement of Prince Harry's name help or hurt in this situation?

His fame draws more attention to the situation which could help create change. But it also ties his reputation to the controversy.

Have there been similar allegations against other charities previously?

Yes, other major charities like Oxfam have faced allegations of abuse by people working under their organization in the past.

Should Prince Harry have known more about African Parks' actions on the ground?

As a director and public face, Harry had some responsibility to be aware of African Parks' frontline activities, even if not directly involved.

What lessons should Prince Harry and others take from this situation?

Thorough vetting and oversight is essential for any charity you associate with. Accept that you become tied to both its good works and controversies.

Outlines

00:00

😮 Harry's Africa charity accused of abuse

The Mail on Sunday reports that Prince Harry's conservation charity African Parks has been accused of overseeing guards that committed abuse, rape, and torture of indigenous tribespeople in the Republic of Congo rainforests. The allegations are disturbing. Harry was the charity's president for 6 years and now sits on its board. His team has passed on the allegations to African Parks leadership to address.

05:02

👀 Charity and Harry respond, investigation underway

Both Harry's team and African Parks have responded, claiming zero tolerance for abuse and launching an external investigation. The reporting may spur positive change. Harry's involvement also elevated this issue. But it raises questions about his judgment post-Royal Family regarding vetting the charities he lends his name to.

10:05

💡 Lessons on charity controversy for royals

While being a royal comes with oversight that may prevent controversies like this, it doesn't eliminate risk, as seen in past charity scandals involving royals. There are lessons here for any high-profile person supporting a charity - you become the face of both the good and the bad done under that charity's auspices.

Keywords

💡Charity

A charity is a non-profit organization that carries out humanitarian work. Prince Harry's involvement with the African Parks charity is discussed, which has been accused of overseeing serious abuse against indigenous people. This relates to concerns over Harry's judgement and oversight after stepping back from royal duties.

💡Allegations

Allegations refer to claims or assertions that someone has done something illegal or wrong. There are disturbing allegations of violence, rape and torture by guards working for Harry's Africa Parks charity.

💡Indigenous

Indigenous means native or belonging to a place. The allegations center around abuse against indigenous forest tribes and people in Africa overseen by Harry's charity.

💡Royal

Royal refers to the British royal family. Questions are raised over whether Harry had sufficient palace oversight of his charity after stepping back as a working royal.

💡President

The president is the leader of an organization. Harry was president of African Parks for 6 years prior to the allegations emerging.

💡Director

A director holds a leadership position on the board overseeing governance. Harry currently serves on the board of directors for African Parks.

💡Conservation

Conservation means protection of natural resources and wildlife. African Parks works in conservation of forests and national parks in Africa.

💡Response

The response refers to official statements addressing the concerning allegations from Harry's charity and Prince Harry.

💡Investigation

An investigation is a formal inquiry into the veracity of the abuse allegations against Harry's charity in Africa.

💡Judgment

Judgment means the ability to make considered decisions. Questions are raised about Harry's judgment in associations after leaving his royal role.

Highlights

Kinsey is in the process of putting on her eyelashes during a radio interview, highlighting the behind-the-scenes aspects of media appearances.

Discussion on the criticism Kinsey faces on the internet about her fake eyelashes, showcasing the personal scrutiny public figures can face.

Critique of the negative and vile comments directed towards Megan and Harry lovers, pointing out the harshness of online discourse.

The story of Prince Harry's charity, African Parks, being accused of serious human rights abuses, underlining the impact of celebrity endorsements on charitable organizations.

Prince Harry's elevated role in the African Parks charity and the allegations of rape and torture by its operatives, highlighting the responsibilities of public figures in charitable activities.

The Mail on Sunday's investigation into the atrocities committed by guards associated with African Parks, emphasizing the role of investigative journalism in uncovering abuses.

Prince Harry's immediate action upon learning about the allegations against African Parks, showing his response to crisis situations.

African Parks' zero tolerance policy and the steps they claim to be taking in response to the allegations, illustrating organizational responses to crisis.

The potential impact of Prince Harry's association with African Parks on the charity's visibility and scrutiny, demonstrating the double-edged sword of celebrity involvement in philanthropy.

The discussion around whether it's fair to tie Prince Harry's name to the controversies of the charities he's involved with, questioning the accountability of public figures.

Kinsey's reflection on the protective umbrella of the royal family and how it could have prevented the controversy, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of royal oversight.

The mention of other charities facing similar allegations, broadening the discussion to the wider issue of misconduct within philanthropic organizations.

The conversation shifts to the importance of due diligence and the responsibility of celebrities to be aware of the activities of the charities they endorse.

The potential for positive change through increased scrutiny, emphasizing the role of public and media attention in reforming charitable practices.

Reflections on past controversies involving royal family members and charities, offering historical context and lessons learned.

Transcripts

Christo's right Royal

[Music]

Roundup kiny scoffield is here morning

Kinsey hello I'm not done putting my

eyelashes on so I'm I'm here I'm just

it's there's just a process we're

working on oh all right well in your own

time so are they both on now they're on

now let's just pray that one doesn't fly

off in the middle of this thing I I I

would never have known you wore false

eyelashes but you've referen them a

couple of times I thought that you just

had very very full eyelashes just

naturally well that's nice of you to say

because the internet has given me plenty

of feedback about my fake lashes have

they in what way what do they say about

your fake

lashes that they don't like them but

what do they know what do they know what

on Earth do they know about your fake

lashes and besides which I think that

those are really because they go after

you for a lot of things things that you

say about the Royals and let's be honest

a lot of the Megan and Harry lovers are

utterly vile I mean some of the things

that are being said about the the

Princess of Wales and her hospital

treatment and all of that stuff at the

moment by them is absolutely repellent

it's awful so I would have thought

there's a lot to go after you about with

what you say so it seems so desperate

that they they're not only going after

to what you say but they're also going

after to your eyelashes how

strange yeah I'm # blessed God you I'm

I'm super lucky yeah um so how are you

I'm good how are you today I'm fine

thank you so there are a few Royal

stories around today but the one that I

want to uh start with which is slightly

uh unfortunate is it's actually about

Harry me and you sent this to me last

night you know I was in a bar I was

being trendy last night I was out with

young people in a bar you know cuz I'm

down with young young people having a

little boogie dance you look like you

look you look pained by that thought

Kinsey no not at all I was I'm visually

stimulated by it I'm probably gonna

dream of it tonight bless you good God I

have a sleeping tablet before r i bless

you okay Harry's Africa charity Rangers

and I quote here raped and beat tribes

people tribes people I mean it is the

most most

astonishing headline it's an exclusive

by the mail on Sunday and they are

saying that the leading conservation

charity that Prince Harry helps run has

been accused of operating and get this

an armed militia engaged in beating rape

and torture of indigenous people in

Africa the mail on Sunday have

discovered and this is in the Republic

of Congo horrific evidence of

intimidation in the

rainforests by guards managed and paid

by the African Parks charity Prince

Harry was its president for six years

until elevated to its governing board of

directors it's been it's backed by a

billionaire it manages huge s of forests

and national parks in Partnerships with

governments but the male on Sunday have

found firsthand testimonies of

atrocities inflicted on the backa which

is an indigenous uh people within that

area I mean this

is absolutely staggering isn't it it is

but because it's such a gentle uh topic

I don't I'm not going to give my opinion

on it um I'll just regurgitate the story

that there was an investigation by the

mail on Sunday uh and they do say that

they discovered deeply disturbing

accusations of violence rape and torture

of indigenous people in rainforests of

the Republic of Congo by guards managed

and paid for by the African pars charity

um now Prince Harry was its president

for six years he was promoted recently

to the governing board of directors and

um no I I think that this is obviously a

a very upsetting story it it has a lot

of people shocked um Prince Harry has

acknowledged it through archwell they

told the mail that when Harry became

aware of these serious allegations he

immediately escalated them to the CEO

and chairman of the board of African

Parks they say that those are the

appropriate people to handle next steps

I think that they're you know

immediately trying to say don't don't

look to us for updates because we'

passed the buck onto to somebody that

can actually make the change uh in a

formal statement responding to the mail

on Sunday's investigation African Park

said that they have a zero tolerance

policy for any form of abuse and they

are committed to upholding the rights of

local and Indigenous people uh obviously

those are some clean responses probably

looked through by three or four

different attorneys um but hopefully

this particular article will move things

forward and truly help to make some

change because it sounds like these

people have

experienced what you know Harry accepted

an award last week uh when he accepted

the Living Legends Aviation award one

this charity is one of the Charities

that they credited for to justify his

life as a living legend so you know

they've really got to make things right

here if the if these allegations are

true the charity is also saying that

they've taken active steps to address

these allegations they've appointed an

external Law Firm to assess their

veracity any new allegations including

those cited in this argu article uh

which I you and I just quoted from will

form part of this ongoing

review because some of these allegations

I mean it's seven pages of uh the mail

on Sunday is in there where um it talks

about a backa villager being handcuffed

and whipped in front of his crying

children um campaigners are saying that

they were warned of this abuse the

charity was warned years ago uh

apparently they have tourists paying

£10,000 to watch gorillas in the

rainforest another story here of how an

African Parks guard um of an alleged

victim here raped me as I held on to my

baby then I was paid

£500 compensation so they really do need

to get to the bottom of it they are

saying that they are going to my

question for you though and I realize

you don't want to sort of comment either

way on the details and I think that's

fair fa but is it fair to um how how

fair is it to tie Prince Harry to this

because I I think it is fair to say

clearly he would have had no idea that

his involvement in this charity would in

any way lead to any kind of connection

to these sorts of horrific activities so

is it unfair to tie his name to this so

much or if he is a director and he's

putting his name to this stuff does it

show that perhaps he should have you

know that that that when you are someone

in the public eye of his stature or

anyone's who's in the public eye that

maybe you know you need to know what

that entails you need to know what that

charity you're putting your name to is

actually

doing in the grand scheme of things I

think his name being associated with the

charity is a blessing because it's

elevated it to the level that it has I

think things like this happen every day

all over the world unfortunately and

because Prince Harry's name is

associated with it it landed on the

front page of the mail on Sunday and

it's being taken very

seriously you know does Harry need to be

more invested and associated in the

things that are attached to his name I

tell you that this is a good example of

how

Harry um you know how I question Harry's

judgment away from the British royal

family because if he were still working

within that umbrella there would be a

team of individuals that would stay on

top of these issues um and and it

wouldn't have gotten to this point we're

going to talk about another story later

where one of Charles's Charities has

somebody that is in in a questionable

position that's not something that have

could have been stopped six months from

now the conversation we're having about

Harry's charity could have that that

that could have been nipped in the butt

a long time ago because Harry would have

had people that worked for him within

the palace that would have been staying

on top of any sort of allegations like

this to ensure that they weren't true

that you know Harry would have released

a statement before the mail on Sunday

would have released this article and

said this is this is egregious and and

he was you know like he was appalled and

and didn't um didn't realize the the

severity of of the issue you know I just

think that if he was still under the

protective umbrella of the palace that

this it wouldn't have gotten to this

point but at the same time I see the

value in his name being associated with

it because we're go we're talking about

it and things might actually change yeah

I I I I get what you're saying and of

course although you're right to say that

having that layer of Royal protection

might have meant that he would have been

given awareness of of these allegations

a lot sooner that do that isn't always

the case I mean I remember you and I

joking about the story of the then

Prince Charles

accepting um bags carrier bags full of

cash for the prince's trust which at the

time um you know was was was was

horrifically misjudged I think I can't

remember what was it a Harold's bag full

of cash it wasn't a her's bag but it was

similar to it yeah for Mason or it was

some it was some like Jui story l a

carrier bag just like full of Euros or

something that he was given and so that

didn't stop that controversy Happening

by him being a part of uh you know CD

member of the royal family which of

course Harry no longer is so I I think

there's a real lesson here in if you're

going to put your name to a charity like

this you need to accept that that you

then as you have pointed out become the

face and the name of the great things

that charity does and you can elevate it

but also then if there are allegations

and of course this isn't the only

charity that there have been allegations

like this there have been allegations in

the past for Oxfam and various other

Charities as well where horrific things

have been happening on the front line if

your face is is associated with that

charity your face is going to be

associated with the bad things as

well