Prince Harry's conservation charity, African Parks, is facing renewed scrutiny and criticism following allegations of human rights abuses, including reports of extra-judicial killings and violent beatings.
The accusations arise from incidents involving rangers in Zambia, who are jointly managed by African Parks. These claims come on the heels of previous revelations regarding abuses against the Baka tribal people in the Republic of Congo, as reported by MoS in January.
African Parks, which manages parks across 12 African countries with a team of 1,400 guards, covering protected areas equivalent to the size of Britain, has come under fire despite its mission to conserve wildlife while collaborating with local communities.
Prince Harry, who served as the charity's president for six years before joining its governing board of directors, had previously praised African Parks' approach, stating, "The African Parks model is exactly what conservation should be about – putting people at the heart of the solution."
The recent allegations of brutality are centered on Zambia's Bangweulu Wetlands, an expansive conservation area roughly equivalent in size to Devon. The region is home to approximately 50,000 indigenous people who have rights to sustainably harvest natural resources such as fish, antelope, and rabbits.
Since 2008, African Parks has been responsible for managing the Bangweulu Wetlands in partnership with the government and six local chiefdoms. However, it's worth noting that this particular project stands apart from others managed by the organization, as conservation law enforcement remains under the jurisdiction of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.
The charity has yet to respond publicly to the recent allegations, but these developments have undoubtedly raised concerns about the organization's practices and its commitment to both conservation and human rights.
