A rugby star has been criticised for posting graphic images of dead Syrian children on his Twitter account.
All Black’s star Sonny Bill Williams, who is an ambassador for the UN Children’s Fund (Unicef), was visiting a Syrian refugee camp when he posted pictures of two young children with horrific injuries.
The sports star was there to highlight the plight of the 1.2 million fleeing the worn-torn country, and tweeted: “What did these children do to deserve this? This summer share a thought for the innocent lives lost every day in war.”
Following the post, many people criticised the New Zealander, saying: “Sorry you (feel) the need to post pictures of dead bodies to highlight your cause. Where’s your respect?”
“Wow that’s heavy, but do spare a thought for your young followers who will not understand this.”
@SonnyBWilliams did you even stop to think about your young followers before posting these pictures of dead children? Obviously not!
— Dave Thompson (@thebundyeel) December 30, 2015
@SonnyBWilliams time and place to post this stuff
— TommyP (@Tommy2609) December 29, 2015
@SonnyBWilliams disappointed you post these, no respect to them or their family/friends?
— Aaron (@AaronYNWA2) December 29, 2015
Unicef Australia has also stated that they do not support the publication of the images.
However, not everyone was against the tweet, with many other followers thanking him for highlighting what is actually happening.
@_xCeleste @SonnyBWilliams it's meant to be triggering & you uncomfy! No warning needed. If it makes you upset, that's the point!
— Amber Milbourne (@whitewith3) December 29, 2015
@SonnyBWilliams Shame more people are upset that the pictures were posted than the fact that these children are dead. Shameful.
— Kibblet (@Kibblet) December 29, 2015
@SonnyBWilliams Thanks for posting.We need to be shaken out of our comfort zones from time to time.Reality bites !
— Ebrahim Sasman (@EbrahimSasman) December 29, 2015
What do you think? Should he have tried to highlight the harrowing situation in a different way?
