Other people, including his last master, treated Nat decently; but with them it was always the same kind of benevolent paternalism which a person holds towards a valued pet, or a handy ox.

His visit followed a familiar pattern of Western engagement in African crises—one rooted in misinformed paternalism and an unwillingness to acknowledge the complexity of the situation on the ground.

Human Rights Watch welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights’ thematic report on “Welfare and Control: The Paternalism of ...