Online petitions had been circulating for removing Priyanka Chopra from the ambassadorship.
(Photo: IANS)
Global icon and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Priyanka Chopra has been facing criticism for her tweet cheering the Indian Armed forces, following the Balakot air strikes on February 26. More so recently, after a Pakistani woman questioned the actress at the Beautycon in LA.
Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that Chopra retains the right to speak in her personal capacity on issues, concerning her.
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“When UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors “speak in their personal capacity, they retain the right to speak about issues that interest or concern them,” he said in a daily briefing on Thursday in a question about Chopra.
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“Their personal views or actions do not necessarily reflect those of UNICEF,” he added. Further stating, “When they speak on behalf of the UNICEF, we expect them to adhere to UNICEF’s evidence-based impartial positions.”
Online petitions had been circulating for removing Priyanka Chopra from the ambassadorship.
Pakistan has intensified criticism after the revocation of Article 370. The Pakistani Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari had written to the UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore demanding Chopra’s removal as a Goodwill Ambassador accusing her of “jingoism and support” for the Indian Armed forces.
Mazari added, “Unless she is removed immediately, the very idea of a Goodwill Ambassador for Peace becomes a mockery globally,” quoted IANS.
Priyanka has received support from her contemporaries in the film industry. Ayushmann Khurrana, Kangana Ranaut and Anupriya Goenka have all come out in support of the actress.
On February 14,a carbomb attack led by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed killed more than 40 Central Reserve Police personnel( CRPF) in Pulwama, Kashmir causing massive uproar in the country following which the Indian Air Force undertook a counter airstrike on the organisation’s base in Balakot, Pakistan on February 26, 2019.
( With agency inputs)
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