(NewsNation) — An investigation has found that a charity Prince Harry is connected to admitted its rangers commit human rights abuses against those in Republic of Congo Indigenous communities, according to reports.
Prince Harry serves on the board of directors for African Parks, which currently manages over 20 national parks and protected areas in nearly 15 countries across Africa. The charity conducted an independent investigation that found “in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred.”
According to People magazine, Prince Harry has been with the organization since 2016. He served as president before he became a member of the board of directors.
Survival International criticized Prince Harry-backed charity
That investigation, conducted by Omnia Strategy LLP, was not fully released to the public. A group called Survival International, which was one of the first to raise these concerns, criticized African Parks for not releasing all details.
Director Caroline Pearce said in a statement, “Baka men and women have been beaten, tortured and raped … 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.'”
African Parks released a statement, saying, in part, “We deeply regret the pain and suffering that these have caused to the victims. … Omnia’s process also highlighted several failures of our systems and processes that were insufficient for the level of responsibility given to us.”
The charity’s statement also said:
“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.”
Prince Harry recently left Sentebale charity
Prince Harry has made many visits to Africa since he was a child. He even reportedly co-founded Sentebale back in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. The organization’s goal is to help young individuals in Southern Africa.
However, now, sources tell NewsNation’s Paula Froelich that Prince Harry is “deeply depressed and embarrassed” by the Sentebale charity scandal he is enmeshed in and devastated that the charity he founded has been “ripped away” from him.
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso both released a joint statement in April, stating:
“With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as Patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same. It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation… These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down while keeping the well-being of staff in mind. In turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship.”
“He loves his charities — this is what he wants to spend his life doing and now, one of them is gone … and in the most horrible way,” the source said.
On March 31, The Telegraph reported that Prince Harry allegedly sent a chairwoman, Sophie Chandauka, an “unpleasant” and “imperious” message after she declined to defend Meghan Markle, whom Chandauka claims showed up unannounced and caused an awkward scene during the trophy presentation.
The U.K.-based Charity Commission has confirmed that they are investigating the Sentebale charity.