Prince Harry rocked by human rights scandal at charity he led for six years

Prince Harry is facing fresh controversy, and this time, it’s linked to a major charity he’s been publicly associated with for years. 

African Parks, a high-profile conservation group where Harry served as President for six years and now sits on the board, has admitted that rangers under its leadership committed serious human rights abuses in Congo-Brazzaville’s Odzala-Kokoua National Park.

A review by Omnia Strategy, a London-based legal firm, uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse. 

The report followed a 2023 Mail on Sunday exposé that accused African Parks rangers of waterboarding, beatings, and rape in an effort to keep locals out of ancestral forests.

Now, African Parks has publicly confirmed that some of those allegations are true.

In a statement posted to their website, African Parks said: “In some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering caused to the victims. There is no place for any form of abuse in the name of conservation.”

They added that "failures of systems and processes" were especially evident in the early years of their management of the park.

There is no indication that Prince Harry had any knowledge of or connection to the alleged abuses. 

He stepped down as President in 2023 and now serves as a Board Member.

According to sources close to the situation, Harry has been “closely involved in understanding the findings and implementing necessary changes.”

What is Prince Harry's Sentebale controversy?

Last month, both Harry and Prince Seeiso stepped down from Sentebale, along with the board of trustees. Their departure triggered a regulatory compliance case by the UK Charity Commission, which is now investigating governance concerns and the conduct of trustees past and present.

The resignation also followed controversy surrounding Sentebale’s chair, Dr. Sophia Chandauka, who has since accused Harry and Meghan’s brand of being “toxic” and alleged a campaign of “harassment and bullying” — claims that have been strongly denied.

The Charity Commission emphasized that their compliance case is meant to assess whether trustees have fulfilled their legal duties and responsibilities.

RELATED: Prince Harry faces fresh Sentebale drama as more trustees step down