United States government has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. The move follows her repeated allegations against Israel, accusing it of committing acts of genocide in Gaza during military operations.
Who is Francesca Albanese?
| Aspect | Details |
| Position | United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territories occupied since 1967 |
| Appointed | May 2022 |
| Mandate Covers | West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Gaza Strip |
| Affiliation | Reports to UN Human Rights Council and UN General Assembly |
| Background | International lawyer and academic with expertise in human rights, humanitarian law, and forced displacement |
| Previous Work | UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), research on migration and refugee law |
Responsibilities as UN Special Rapporteur
- Monitor and assess human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
- Provide independent, evidence-based reports to the UN Human Rights Council and UN General Assembly.
- Make recommendations based on international law.
- Serve in an unpaid, voluntary capacity under the UN’s Special Procedures framework.
Reason for Sanctions
| Reason | Description |
| Critical Reports on Israel | In March 2024, Albanese submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Council stating there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that Israel committed genocide in Gaza. |
| Specific Accusations | Mass killings, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and creation of conditions intended to cause physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza. |
| Public Statements | Referred to Israeli actions in Gaza as “apocalyptic” and accused Israel of waging a genocidal campaign. |
| US Government’s Position | The US imposed sanctions citing her alleged bias, inflammatory language, and unsubstantiated legal conclusions. |
Context and Implications
- The sanctions mark a rare action against a UN-appointed expert, raising concerns about freedom of expression and the independence of UN mandate holders.
- The move could have wider implications on UN–US relations, and global diplomatic debates surrounding the Israel–Palestine conflict.
- Albanese’s findings have been supported by several human rights organisations, while criticised by pro-Israel governments and advocacy groups.
Institutional Background
- UN Special Rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to examine and report on specific human rights themes or country situations.
- They do not represent the UN officially, and their views are independent and non-binding.
- The role is critical for accountability and transparency in conflict zones, particularly where state-level investigations are absent or inadequate.