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US sanctions on UN Gaza rapporteur Francesca Albanese spark global outrage
The sanctions were condemned by those who work on international law as an attack on international justice and the UN system itself.
10.07.2025
The New Arab Staff
Source:https://www.newarab.com/news/us-sanctions-francesca-albanese-spark-global-outrage
US sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, have drawn sharp condemnation from UN officials and human rights organisations, who called the move a blatant attack on international law.
Albanese, one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s policies in the occupied West Bank and its ongoing war on Gaza, was sanctioned by the US State Department on Wednesday.
The UN's Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, urged the US to reverse the sanctions, saying: "Even in the face of disagreement, UN Member States should engage substantively and constructively, rather than resort to punitive measures."
"Attacks and threats against Special Procedures mandate holders, as well as key institutions like the International Criminal Court, must stop," he added.
A number of UN Special Rapporteurs joined Türk in condemning the decision.
Ben Saul, the UN expert on human rights and counterterrorism, posted on X: "I urge all UN member states to denounce this attack on the United Nations and human rights."
Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia, told Reuters the move was "totally unacceptable and opens the gates for any other government to do the same," adding that it was an "attack on the UN system as a whole".
Craig Mokhiber, the former director of the UN human rights office in New York, described the sanctions as "a direct breach of US legal obligations under the UN Charter, the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the UN, and the Host Country Agreement of the United Nations, as well as a deliberate obstruction of the vital human rights work of the organisation".
Rights groups also denounced the move. Amnesty International's Secretary General Agnès Callamard called the sanctions "a shameless and transparent attack on the fundamental principles of international justice".
"States must forcefully reject these disgraceful, vindictive sanctions and exert maximum diplomatic pressure on the US government to reverse them," she added.
Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch, said on X: "There seems to be no limit to what the Trump administration will do to try and deter prosecution of Israeli war crimes and genocide in Gaza. None of this chest beating is likely to work."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on X that the sanctions targeted Albanese for her "efforts to prompt [ICC] action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives".
Speaking in Ljubljana, Albanese said that the sanctions were "calculated to weaken my mission" as Special Rapporteur, and that "I will continue to do what I have to do. Yes, of course, it will be challenging... I'm putting everything I have on the line."
Albanese had earlier declined to comment directly when reached by Al Jazeera, referring to the measures as "mafia-style intimidation techniques". However, in a post on X, she wrote: "I stand firmly and convincingly on the side of justice, as I have always done."
"I come from a country with a tradition of illustrious legal scholars, talented lawyers and courageous judges who have defended justice at great cost and often with their own life. I intend to honor that tradition," she added.
Albanese last week released a damming investigation on 60 companies that are involved in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, as well as support in Israel's war on Gaza.
The report, entitled 'From economy of occupation to economy of genocide', called on the companies, which range from arms manufacturers to tech companies and retail firms, to cease their work with Israel and for legal accountability for company executives implicated in alleged violations of international law.
Editor's note: This story has been updated on 10 July, 14:51 GMT, to include new comments from Francesca Albanese.
The sanctions were condemned by those who work on international law as an attack on international justice and the UN system itself.
10.07.2025
The New Arab Staff
Source:https://www.newarab.com/news/us-
US sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, have drawn sharp condemnation from UN officials and human rights organisations, who called the move a blatant attack on international law.
Albanese, one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s policies in the occupied West Bank and its ongoing war on Gaza, was sanctioned by the US State Department on Wednesday.
The UN's Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, urged the US to reverse the sanctions, saying: "Even in the face of disagreement, UN Member States should engage substantively and constructively, rather than resort to punitive measures."
"Attacks and threats against Special Procedures mandate holders, as well as key institutions like the International Criminal Court, must stop," he added.
A number of UN Special Rapporteurs joined Türk in condemning the decision.
Ben Saul, the UN expert on human rights and counterterrorism, posted on X: "I urge all UN member states to denounce this attack on the United Nations and human rights."
Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia, told Reuters the move was "totally unacceptable and opens the gates for any other government to do the same," adding that it was an "attack on the UN system as a whole".
Craig Mokhiber, the former director of the UN human rights office in New York, described the sanctions as "a direct breach of US legal obligations under the UN Charter, the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the UN, and the Host Country Agreement of the United Nations, as well as a deliberate obstruction of the vital human rights work of the organisation".
Rights groups also denounced the move. Amnesty International's Secretary General Agnès Callamard called the sanctions "a shameless and transparent attack on the fundamental principles of international justice".
"States must forcefully reject these disgraceful, vindictive sanctions and exert maximum diplomatic pressure on the US government to reverse them," she added.
Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch, said on X: "There seems to be no limit to what the Trump administration will do to try and deter prosecution of Israeli war crimes and genocide in Gaza. None of this chest beating is likely to work."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on X that the sanctions targeted Albanese for her "efforts to prompt [ICC] action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives".
Speaking in Ljubljana, Albanese said that the sanctions were "calculated to weaken my mission" as Special Rapporteur, and that "I will continue to do what I have to do. Yes, of course, it will be challenging... I'm putting everything I have on the line."
Albanese had earlier declined to comment directly when reached by Al Jazeera, referring to the measures as "mafia-
"I come from a country with a tradition of illustrious legal scholars, talented lawyers and courageous judges who have defended justice at great cost and often with their own life. I intend to honor that tradition," she added.
Albanese last week released a damming investigation on 60 companies that are involved in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, as well as support in Israel's war on Gaza.
The report, entitled 'From economy of occupation to economy of genocide', called on the companies, which range from arms manufacturers to tech companies and retail firms, to cease their work with Israel and for legal accountability for company executives implicated in alleged violations of international law.
Editor's note: This story has been updated on 10 July, 14:51 GMT, to include new comments from Francesca Albanese.