Francesca Albanese Condemns US Sanctions as Obscene
The US sanctions against Francesca Albanese have sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing that they are an attempt to silence a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza and undermine the independence of UN special rapporteurs. The move is seen as a significant escalation in the US's campaign against the ICC and its efforts to promote accountability for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
UN expert Francesca Albanese has strongly criticized the US decision to sanction her, stating that it is a form of retaliation for her pursuit of justice and international law in the occupied Palestinian territory. Albanese, the UN's special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, accused Israel of committing genocide and crimes against humanity, and criticized the US and other countries for profiting from the conflict.
The sanctions were imposed by the Trump administration, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing Albanese of waging a "campaign of political and economic warfare" against the US and Israel. However, Albanese's supporters argue that she is being targeted for her criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza and her advocacy for Palestinian rights. The UN has criticized the move, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesman calling it a "dangerous precedent" that could undermine the independence of UN special rapporteurs.
The sanctions are linked to Albanese's support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Rubio accused Albanese of "spewing unabashed antisemitism, expressed support for terrorism, and open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West." However, Albanese remains defiant, stating that she will not be silenced and will continue to pursue justice and human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The move is likely to provoke a fierce backlash from those who argue for accountability over the civilian death toll from Israel's military offensive in Gaza. United Nations rights chief Ambassador Jurg Lauber has called for the "prompt reversal" of US sanctions against UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, emphasizing the importance of protecting the independence of UN special rapporteurs and promoting human rights and international law.