Jennifer Lopez
is taking back her musical birthday wishes for Turkmenistan leader
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. The superstar, 43, was in the former Soviet
bloc country on Saturday June 29, and sang "Happy Birthday" to dictator
Berdimuhamedow during an event hosted by the China National Petroleum
Corp. -- but Lopez says she was unaware of Berdimuhamedow's egregious
human rights violations, and has apologized through her rep.
Turkmenestan is described by Human Rights Watch as "among the most
repressive [countries] in the world," with a United Nations rep noting
just last month that "a lot more work is needed" the nation to reach
"international standards."
The "Dance Again" singer's told the Associated Press that the event
was vetted by Lopez's staff. "Had there been knowledge of human rights
issues any kind, Jennifer would not have attended," said the rep.
Thor Halvorssen of the Human Rights Foundation told the Hollywood
Reporter: "Lopez obviously has the right to earn a living performing for
the dictator of her choice and his circle of cronies. But her actions
utterly destroy the carefully crafted message she has cultivated with
her prior involvement with Amnesty International's programs in Mexico
aimed at curbing violence against women."
Souces : usmagazine
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