On the 10th, UN Secretary-General Guterres' spokesman Dujarric said that US sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, were 'unacceptable.'
He pointed out at a regular press conference that imposing sanctions on a UN special rapporteur sets a 'dangerous precedent.' Member states may hold differing opinions regarding the reports of UN special rapporteurs, but the UN encourages member states to engage with UN human rights bodies. Imposing unilateral sanctions on any UN special rapporteur, expert, or official is unacceptable.
On the 9th, the United States announced sanctions against Albanese, citing her promotion of legal actions by the International Criminal Court targeting US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives.
Albanese, an Italian jurist and human rights expert, has served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories since May 2022. Albanese is known for speaking out boldly. On the 3rd of this month, at the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, she said that Israel 'should be held responsible for one of the most brutal acts of genocide in modern history.'
She called on all countries to impose a total arms embargo on Israel and to suspend all trade and financial agreements.