UN urges reversal of US sanctions on Francesca Albanese

GENEVA/LJUBLJANA: The United Nations rights chief called Thursday for the “prompt reversal” of US sanctions against a UN expert over her criticism of US policy on Gaza.

Volker Turk also called for a halt to “attacks and threats” against people appointed by the UN and other international institutions in his statement.

‘CALCULATED TO WEAKEN MY MISSION’

On the other hand, Francesca Albanese, the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, denounced US sanctions against her as “calculated to weaken my mission” as rapporteur on the Palestinian territories.

“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,” Albanese told reporters during a visit to Ljubljana.

Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced sanctions against the outspoken UN special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Palestinian territories.

He accused accused Albanese of making “illegitimate and shameful efforts” to prompt the International Criminal Court (ICC) action against “US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives”.

SHE WILL ‘HONOUR’ THE ‘TRADITION’

Separately, Albanese in a post shared on X promised to continue fighting for her ideals and the honour the “tradition” of her country.

“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 honour that tradition.”