WWF launches probe after it was accused of funding paramilitary forces that ‘tortured and murdered’ people in Africa and Asia
- World Wide Fund for Nature launches inquiry into claims that it works with paramilitaries allegedly involved in serious abuses
One of the world’s largest charities has launched an investigation into claims that it funds, equips and works with paramilitary forces accused of beating, torturing, sexually assaulting and murdering scores of people in national parks across Africa and Asia.
Human rights specialists will lead an independent review of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) conservation charity, following allegations of abuse in six countries, published by BuzzFeed news on Monday.
The charity is accused of supporting anti-poaching units that attacked, sexually assaulted, shot and killed villagers.
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It is also accused of providing paramilitary forces with salaries, training and supplies – including knives, night vision goggles, riot gear and batons – and funding raids on villages.
WWF operated like a “global spymaster”, organising, financing and running networks of “informants”, to provide park authorities with intelligence, while publicly denying working with informants, Buzzfeed reported.
The investigation will also look at claims WWF embroiled itself in a botched arms deal, in the Central African Republic, to buy assault rifles from an army that paraded severed heads of criminals though the streets.
The allegations come at a time of increased scrutiny of international charities and aid organisations, following the Oxfam sex abuse scandal in Haiti, details of which came to light last year.