Messi condemned by Human rights activists

Messi condemned by Human rights activists

Barcelona's Argentine star player Lionel Messi has been condemned by the Human Rights Foundations, who was accused of "partying with oppressors" in his recent visit to Gabon. The Argentine who has also been in news, for allegedly his tax payments of about 5 million euros are yet to comment on the matter.

The Gabon government has denied reports they paid the Barcelona star, who also visited a state-of-the-art hospital, a seven-figure sum to make the appearance earlier this summer.

"In providing PR services to Gabon's Bongo family, Lionel Messi has seriously undermined the credibility of his own charitable foundation," said Human Rights Foundation 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.

"Messi's trip is part of the Bongo family's PR campaign to promote the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, which Gabon will host at enormous expense despite the fact that the Bongo family's embezzlement has left 20 per cent of the population to live on less than $2 per day."

HRF chief strategy officer Alex Gladstein added: "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."

Head of the Bongo family said: “When I was in Barcelona a few years ago, I met Messi who had told me that he would come to visit me in Libreville. It's a promise he made me. He is a man of honour who just kept his word.”