African Charity Tied to Prince Harry Admits to 'Human Rights Abuses' by Park Rangers
African Parks, a charity where Prince Harry serves on the board of directors, confirmed that an investigation found its rangers committed human rights abuses against indigenous communities.
"We deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims," African Parks said in their statement
The Duke of Sussex has been involved with the organization since 2016, serving as president before joining the board of directorsAn African conservation charity backed by Prince Harry is facing intense scrutiny after acknowledging that its rangers committed human rights abuses against indigenous communities in the Republic of Congo.
African Parks, which currently manages 23 national parks and protected areas in 13 countries across the continent, had an independent investigation conducted into the allegations that their rangers raped, beat and tortured indigenous people. On May 8, the organization released a statement confirming that the investigation had concluded and found "that, in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred." However, African Parks did not publicly release the full details of the findings by Omnia Strategy LLP, a London-based human rights law firm.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Duke of Sussex for comment. He has not publicly commented on the investigation or its findings.
"We deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims," African Parks said in their statement. "Omnia's process also highlighted several failures of our systems and processes that were insufficient for the level of responsibility given to us, particularly in the early years of our management of [Odzala-Kokoua National Park]."
African Parks continued, "We are committed to addressing the shortcomings that have been identified. Further, where sufficient evidence is available, we will take action against staff members implicated in incidents not yet known about, or that had not been adequately dealt with. The Board is confident that the institutional improvements implemented over the past five years, along with those planned for the coming months – incorporating valuable recommendations from Omnia – will mitigate risks in the future."
Survival International, which was among the groups to raise the abuse concerns, reacted to African Parks' statement, criticizing them for not releasing details of the investigation.
Director Caroline Pearce said, "Baka men and women have been beaten, tortured and raped in Odzala-Kokoua National Park by rangers who are managed and paid for by African Parks. The charity has known this for many years, but it was only after Survival complained to Prince Harry, and the ensuing global media story, that the charity finally commissioned this 'independent investigation.' "
'We still don't know the details of what they found, because African Parks has refused to allow the findings to be made public," Pearce continued. "It has committed to more reports, more staff and more guidelines – but such approaches have not prevented horrific abuses and violations of international human rights law in the decade or more that African Parks has known of these atrocities, and there is no reason to believe they will do so now."
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
Prince Harry, 40, first partnered with African Parks in 2016 and became president of the non-profit conservation group that manages national parks across the continent the following year. In 2023, he was appointed to an elevated role as a member of the board of directors.
In 2022, the Duke of Sussex co-hosted U.S. officials, conservationists and philanthropists on a tour of protected wildlife and nature preserves under the management of African Parks in Zambia, Mozambique and Rwanda.
Africa is a place close to Prince Harry's heart — he's even called it his "second home" — and he has visited the continent on many occasions since childhood. The prince has made many public and private trips to Africa through the years, also co-founding Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to support young people in Southern Africa.
However, Harry recently resigned from Sentebale amid what has been characterized as a financial crisis and internal turmoil. On March 26, the Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso announced their "devastating" decision to step down as patrons of the charity, backing the trustees who also resigned over a fallout with chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka. After the trustees asked Chandauka to resign due to financial strain under her leadership, she brought a lawsuit against the organization.
The Charity Commission, based in the U.K., confirmed they are investigating.
Read the original article on People
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
14 hours ago
- Miami Herald
NYC incumbent Mayor Eric Adams launches re-election bid
June 26 (UPI) -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams kick-started his re-election bid as an independent candidate on Thursday. Adams was joined by about 100 supporters on the steps of the New York City Hall as he announced his candidacy and laid out a case for another four years as the city's mayor. "It's a choice between a candidate with a blue collar and one with a silver spoon," Adams said of his background versus that of Democratic Party candidate and self-avowed socialist Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, 33, surprised many in the political establishment by winning Tuesday's Democratic Party primary over former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who conceded the loss and announced he would continue running as an independent. Adams, likewise, was elected to the mayoral office as a Democrat in 2021 but since has left the party to become an independent. "This is a city not of socialism," Adams told supporters on Thursday. "There's no dignity in someone giving you everything for free," he said. "There's dignity in giving you a job, so you can provide for your family and the opportunities that you deserve." Adams said New York is "not a city of handouts" but instead helps people improve themselves and their lives. Adams has challenged the prior Biden administration's immigration policies and supports the Trump administration's efforts to oppose illegal immigration. The Biden administration filed federal charges accusing Adams of bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy, which the Trump administration dropped earlier this year. Adams said the charges against him were politically motivated due to his opposition to the Biden administration's immigration and border policies. "Despite our pleas, when the federal government did nothing as its broken immigration policies overloaded our shelter system with no relief, I put the people of New York before party and politics," Adams told media after he was indicted on Sept. 27. "I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, that I would be a target," he said. "And a target I became." Mamdani has proposed government control of grocery stores, free public transportation, free childcare, freezing rents and eliminating tuition at city universities, among other proposals. Mamdani is a New York state representative who was born and raised in Uganda in 1991 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018. He has a bachelor's in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College and, if elected, said he would use his power as mayor to "reject Donald Trump's fascism, to stop [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] agents from deporting our neighbors and to govern our city as a model for the Democratic Party." His mother, Mira Nair, is an Indian-American filmmaker who is known best for "Mississippi Masala." Mamdani's father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a Ugandan and former professor of colonialism in India, African history and political violence at Columbia University and other institutions. He is the director of the Makerere Institute of Social Research in Uganda. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
The Hill
a day ago
- The Hill
ICE director says Americans should feel safe July 4
(NewsNation) — Under the Trump administration, immigration enforcement and deportations have been a high priority, even as the administration has faced protests over mass deportations. Recently, there has also been a focus on arresting foreign nationals with suspected terrorist ties. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons told NewsNation that while there have been recent headlines focusing on those suspected of connections to terrorism, including Iranian nationals, it doesn't mean there has been a shift in priorities. 'What you're seeing is ICE doing their mission as a whole,' he said. 'We've always done targeted enforcement, and we've always focused on high-risk countries, you know, not just Iran, but, you know, People's Republic of China, Syria, various countries on the African continent.' Lyons attributed the number of suspected terrorists in the country to the Biden administration. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently told governors that there is a heightened threat level following the U.S. strike on Iran, and it's critical to go after these suspects. 'The only way ICE is going to do that is if we treat every immigration violator the same and we take action on them,' Lyons said. Lyons said he couldn't put a number on how many of those suspected terrorists were Iranian, but the focus has been on identifying people who are national security threats and detaining them. While concerns about sleeper cells have been raised, Lyons said the administration has taken great strides in securing the border. 'I think Americans should be confident that under this administration, under the leadership of Secretary Noem, you have federal law enforcement agencies that are out there every day protecting the homeland,' Lyons said. 'I think the American public needs to be aware. They just need to be cautious, but they need to go on living their lives because they wake up in the greatest country every day.' ICE agents have faced protesters in cities where increased immigration raids have occurred, including Los Angeles. The situation there prompted President Donald Trump to federalize California's National Guard. Despite the opposition, Lyons said morale is high among agents, in part due to the backing from Trump and Noem. 'Sure, we have a lot more work than we ever had, but the men and women of ICE are sworn law enforcement officers who signed up to do a job. And under this administration, they're allowed to do their job again,' Lyons said. Regarding legislation in California that would prevent ICE agents from covering their faces to conceal their identity, Lyons said he would like to work with elected officials to protect agents who have been doxxed by protesters. 'We've shown what happens when these officers and agents' families' information gets out there. They don't want to wear those masks, but it's for their own safety,' he said. 'I would love to sit down with lawmakers and come up with some solution to that, but until I can ensure the men and women of ICE and their families are going to be protected, I'm going to let them do whatever they need to do to protect themselves.' When it comes to protecting the U.S., Lyons said agents are prepared for the upcoming July 4 holiday. 'The American public should feel safe going to any one of these large fireworks celebrations, for instance, because DHS has worked with local and state partners for days, weeks, and months leading up to ensure that we have all the most current threat intelligence,' Lyons said. The White House has set a goal of 3,000 arrests a day, but Lyons rejected the label of 'quota' and said the goal is really for agents to complete their mission. He told NewsNation the increased number has to do with assistance from other agencies and the focus the Trump administration has put on immigration. 'There's a lot of damage that was done in the last four years. What I can say is, though, now that we're allowed to do our job, and we have so many more resources, I think you're going to see an increased, steady climb with the increase in numbers,' Lyons said. We're going to be able to put max effort towards it, and you're going to see us achieve what the president wants and reach that goal.' Subscribe to 'On the Border,' where Ali Bradley covers developments on the southern border with a focus on human and drug smuggling, immigration enforcement efforts, and the failure to control the influx of migrants.
UPI
a day ago
- UPI
African serval on the loose in North Carolina
The Swansboro Police Department in North Carolina said an African serval is on the loose in the area after escaping from its owner's home. File Photo by Ken Bohn/UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- Police in North Carolina said an African serval cat is on the loose in the Swansboro area after escaping from its owner's home. The Swansboro Police Department said in a public notice that the serval resembles a small leopard, but it is domesticated and is not believed to be a danger to humans or pets. "If you spot this serval, please do not attempt to approach or catch it yourself," the notice said. Police urged anyone who catches a glimpse of the cat to contact Onslow County Animal Control. "Your help is appreciated -- let's work together to reunite this pet with its family," police wrote.
