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.