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It took a long time to arrive. Now the investigative report on the serious allegations against WWF is finally available, almost a year late (BLICK reported). The environmental organization was accused of assisting rangers in Asia and Africa who tortured, raped and killed poachers and local residents. In the spring of 2019 the scandal came to light.
Accusations swept under the rug
The report, drawn up by an independent commission of experts under the leadership of former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay (79), confirms that WWF was aware of human rights violations in many cases. For example in the Congo.
The accusations against the rangers were first swept under the rug. The measures that were decided against were only half implemented. This is because the environmental protection organization apparently wanted to avoid a conflict with the government under whose command the rangers were.
“We recognize our responsibility”
“We recognize our responsibility,” says WWF Secretary General Marco Lambertini (62). However, WWF did not apologize. Instead, he distances himself from the actions of the rangers.
The commission of inquiry made several recommendations. From the experts’ point of view, WWF must be absolutely more transparent. In addition, the organization must establish a due diligence check with its partners and ensure that they comply with human rights. Therefore, the WWF must systematically look away rather than look away.
WWF wants to take its time
Experts also demand that WWF not be left alone with promises and advertisements. An independent investigation will be carried out within two years to determine whether the experts’ recommendations have actually been implemented.
WWF is committed to taking the recommendations into account. However, not at the required speed: instead of two, the organization does not want to be reviewed for three years. WWF is taking its time. Again.
