Francesca Albanese, an independent United Nations investigator, delivered a scathing critique of global nations for their failure to challenge the United States over sanctions imposed on her. Speaking via video from South Africa during a General Assembly session, Albanese labeled the sanctions as ‘unlawful and spiteful,’ emphasizing that they undermine the U.N.’s independence and integrity. She urged the international community to confront this ‘dangerous precedent’ and highlighted the challenges she faced in presenting her latest report on Israeli human rights violations in the Palestinian territories. Despite the unprecedented attacks against her, Albanese noted that powerful nations have only issued declarations and condemnations without taking concrete steps since the U.S. imposed sanctions this summer. The U.S. State Department has yet to respond to requests for comment. Albanese, an Italian human rights lawyer and the U.N.’s special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza since May 2022, has consistently criticized Israel’s policies, describing its actions as ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid.’ In her latest report, she painted a grim picture of Gaza, describing it as ‘strangled, starved, shattered’ under a fragile ceasefire. Israel and the U.S. have vehemently rejected her claims, with Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon dismissing her report as ‘shameful’ and ‘one-sided,’ and personally attacking her as a ‘witch.’ The U.S. sanctions, announced in July by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accused Albanese of antisemitism and supporting terrorism. Albanese countered these allegations, asserting that she was targeted for fulfilling her role and vowed to continue her work. The U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, and the U.N.’s chief spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, both condemned the sanctions, calling them ‘unacceptable.’ The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. Albanese called for a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories, criticizing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire as insufficient and enabling continued violence.
UN human rights investigator delivers Gaza report from South Africa because of US sanctions
