Priyanka Chopra retains right to speak in her personal capacity: United Nations

August 22, 2019 The India Observer #Balakot, #India-Pakistan, #PriyankaChopra, #UNICEF

Priyanka Chopra found herself in the eye of a storm after she was called out for tweeting “Jai Hind” in the wake of the Balakot airstrikes in February this year.

In response to the controversy over Priyanka Chopra’s recent comments on India and Pakistan at an event in Los Angeles, a spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Thursday said ambassadors “retain the right to speak about issues of interest or concern to them”. He added her personal views do not reflect those of the agency with which she is affiliated with.

Following the controversy, the Pakistan human rights ministry had urged UNICEF to remove Chopra as Goodwill Ambassador for Peace.

“I can tell you that for any Goodwill Ambassador, whether it is Ms Chopra or anyone else, we expect them to adhere to impartial positions when they speak on behalf of Unicef or any other organisation when they speak in their personal capacity,” spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in response to a reporter’s question at his daily briefing.

“They (ambassadors) retain the right to speak about issues of interest or concern to them. their personal views, however, do not reflect those of the agency with which they may be affiliated with,” he added.