Amman, Jordan. U.N. expert on the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese denounced what she described as “toxic” attacks affecting her personal life and work after several European states called for her resignation. Albanese said her remarks had been taken out of context and misconstrued.
Calls for resignation and response
In recent weeks Germany, France, Italy and others have called for Albanese to step down over her criticism of Israel. Albanese, an Italian lawyer and Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, told reporters via video link from Jordan that the past days, weeks and months had been personally damaging for her and her family.
Israeli mission letter cites code of conduct
A letter seen by Reuters, sent by the permanent mission of Israel in Geneva to the Council’s president on February 15, said Albanese had flagrantly violated the U.N.’s code of conduct. The letter said that as long as she holds a U.N. mandate, she undermines the credibility and moral authority of the United Nations, and alleged she had repeatedly shared antisemitic tropes, allegations Albanese has previously denied.
French remarks at the Human Rights Council
On Tuesday the ambassador to the French mission to the U.N. in Geneva reiterated concerns by the French foreign minister about “extremely problematic statements” by a United Nations Special Rapporteur, in an apparent reference to Albanese without naming her. Céline Jurgensen told delegates at the U.N. Human Rights Council that all those who speak under the auspices of the United Nations, including Special Rapporteurs, must exercise the restraint, moderation, and discretion required by their mandate.
U.S. sanctions and Albanese’s criticism
Albanese described sanctions imposed on her by the United States in July as part of a broader strategy by the current U.S. administration to weaken international accountability mechanisms. The United States said it sanctioned Albanese for what it described as “illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt (International Criminal Court) action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives” in a report to the Human Rights Council.
Albanese’s statement on the attacks
Albanese said the smears, sanctions and continuous attacks were coming from states that, in her view, should instead direct their efforts toward those she said have been accused by the highest court in the world of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
How do you assess the role and responsibilities of UN Special Rapporteurs when facing political pressure?