Roger Sterling
JF-Expert Member
- May 10, 2015
- 13,012
- 23,633
According tothe Human Rights Foundation (HRF),Leo Messi's visit toGabonsupported "one of the world's most repressive and corrupt regimes".
The New York-based NGO condemned the Barcelona star's trip to the West African country on 17th July in a statement. "In providing PR services to Gabon's Bongo family, Lionel Messi has seriously undermined the credibility of his own charitable foundation", argued the foundation's president, Thor Halvorssen.
"Whereas Messi claims to support children's rights, and even serves as a UNICEF ambassador to promote youth education, he has endorsed a kleptocratic regime that refuses to investigate the ritual murder of children in Gabon", the statement continues.
"If Messi wants to do good in Gabon, HRF recommends that rather than partying with oppressors, he release a statement in solidarity with the country's persecuted dissidents and environmentalists, and press the regime to investigate the ritual murders of children", added the organisation's chief strategy officer, Alex Gladstein.
MARCA.com (English version)
The New York-based NGO condemned the Barcelona star's trip to the West African country on 17th July in a statement. "In providing PR services to Gabon's Bongo family, Lionel Messi has seriously undermined the credibility of his own charitable foundation", argued the foundation's president, Thor Halvorssen.
"Whereas Messi claims to support children's rights, and even serves as a UNICEF ambassador to promote youth education, he has endorsed a kleptocratic regime that refuses to investigate the ritual murder of children in Gabon", the statement continues.
"If Messi wants to do good in Gabon, HRF recommends that rather than partying with oppressors, he release a statement in solidarity with the country's persecuted dissidents and environmentalists, and press the regime to investigate the ritual murders of children", added the organisation's chief strategy officer, Alex Gladstein.
MARCA.com (English version)