Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian affairs, has strongly criticized the US sanctions placed against her, calling them a clear violation of her diplomatic immunity. While speaking in Bogotá, she said the move was not only unprecedented but also a serious attack on her mandate and independence. The US announced the sanctions after she accused Washington of enabling Israeli actions in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sanctioned Albanese on July 9, claiming her work was “biased and malicious.” Albanese, however, argued that the sanctions violated the UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities, which protects independent UN experts. She warned that such actions send a dangerous message to anyone defending human rights and international law.
Albanese is attending an international summit in Colombia organized by President Gustavo Petro to seek solutions for the Gaza conflict. During the event, she stressed that the sanctions aim to silence voices speaking out against war crimes and injustice. She described them as a warning meant to intimidate human rights defenders and institutions around the world.
Earlier this month, Albanese released a report naming several companies—mostly American—that she says profit from Israel’s occupation and alleged genocide in Gaza. The report sparked outrage from Israel and pushback from some of the companies listed. Despite the criticism, Albanese stood by her findings and continued to advocate for accountability.
The United Nations and European Union have both condemned the US sanctions. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson urged Washington to reverse the decision, warning it sets a harmful precedent. The EU echoed this stance, reaffirming its strong support for the UN human rights system and calling the sanctions unjustified.
These tensions come amid a deepening crisis in Gaza. The war began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas attacks killed over 1,200 Israelis. Since then, more than 58,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, whose figures are considered credible by the UN. Violence has also surged in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.