UN rebuffs demands for removal of Chopra as goodwill ambassador

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Broadimage/Shutterstock (10360002at) Priyanka Chopra Beautycon festival, Los Angeles Convention Center, USA - 10 Aug 2019

The spokesperson for the United Nations secretary-general responded to demands for the removal of Priyanka Chopra as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for peace.

Speaking at a briefing on Thursday Dujjaric said, “UNICEF goodwill ambassadors are prominent individuals who have agreed to generously volunteer their time and their public profile to promote children’s rights.”

The spokesman also said when UNICEF ambassadors speak in their personal capacity, “they retain the right to speak about issues that interest or concern them.”

Chopra has been widely criticized for issuing a tweet favoring war between Pakistan and India amid escalating tensions in Kashmir, earlier this year.

Among those calling for Chopra’s removal as UNICEF ambassador are actress/model Mehwish Hayat and Pakistan’s minister for human rights, Dr Shireen Mazari who also penned a letter to UNICEF earlier this month.