World Reacts to US Sanctions Against UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, for criticizing Israel and the United States' policies on Palestine. The U.S. sanctions involve freezing all of Francesca Albanese's assets within U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting her entry into the country. Additionally, American citizens and entities are forbidden from engaging in financial transactions or business with Albanese.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a release to X that the sanctions were aimed at Albanese for "her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt (International Criminal Court) action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives."

Albanese has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel's policies in the occupied West Bank and the ongoing war in Gaza. She recently published a report identifying several companies involved in supporting the expulsion of Palestinians by Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza, which she described as acts of genocide and violations of international law.

These U.S. sanctions have drawn strong condemnation from UN officials and human rights organizations, who have deemed the move a blatant attack on international law.

UN Spokesperson: Sanctions on Albanese a 'Dangerous Precedent'

Reported by Al Jazeera, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the U.S.'s decision to sanction Francesca Albanese sets a dangerous precedent.

Noting that Albanese reports to the UN Human Rights Council rather than the secretary-general, Stephane Dujarric stated that UN member states may disagree with reports from special rapporteurs. "But we encourage them to engage with the UN’s human rights architecture. The use of unilateral sanctions against Special Rapporteurs or any other UN expert or official is unacceptable," he said.

UN Human Rights Chief: Threats to Mandate Holders Must Stop

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk urged the U.S. to lift the sanctions. According to him, UN member states should engage in substantial and constructive dialogue rather than resorting to legal actions, even in the face of disagreement.

As reported by The New Arab, he added, "Attacks and threats against Special Procedures mandate holders, as well as key institutions like the International Criminal Court, must stop." Several UN Special Rapporteurs joined Turk in condemning the decision.

UN Experts and Special Rapporteurs: Attack on the Entire UN System

Ben Saul, UN expert on human rights and counterterrorism, urged all UN member states to condemn this attack on the United Nations and human rights.

Meanwhile, Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia, stated that the action is entirely unacceptable and opens the door for other governments to do the same. She affirmed that the move is "an attack on the UN system as a whole."

Craig Mokhiber, former director of the UN Human Rights Office in New York, described the sanctions as a "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."

Human Rights Groups: Shameless Attack on International Justice

Human rights groups also condemned the move. Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard referred to the sanctions as "a shameless and transparent attack on the fundamental principles of international justice."

She stated that countries must firmly reject these embarrassing and vindictive sanctions and apply maximum diplomatic pressure on the U.S. government to revoke them.

Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch, remarked in 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."

Francesca Albanese: Mafia-Style Intimidation

Speaking in Ljubljana, Albanese stated that the sanctions imposed on her are "calculated to weaken my mission" as Special Rapporteur. She affirmed, "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."

Previously, when contacted by Al Jazeera, Albanese declined to comment directly, instead referring to the action as "mafia-style intimidation techniques." However, through a post on platform X, she wrote, "I stand firmly and convincingly on the side of justice, as I have always done."

She also added, "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."

Last week, Albanese published an investigation exposing the involvement of 60 companies in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and their support for the war in Gaza.

Titled "From economy of occupation to economy of genocide," the report calls for companies ranging from weapon manufacturers to technology and retail companies to cease their cooperation with Israel. Moreover, the report demands legal accountability for company executives allegedly involved in violating international law.

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