© Alejandro Martinez Velez / Europa Press via Getty ImagesThe United Nations special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese
"Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt (International Criminal Court) action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.
In a post on X late on Wednesday, Albanese wrote that she stood "firmly and convincingly on the side of justice, as I have always done," without directly mentioning the U.S. sanctions. In a text message to Al Jazeera, she was quoted as dismissing the U.S. move as "mafia style intimidation techniques."
Albanese, an Italian lawyer and academic, has called on states at the U.N. Human Rights Council to impose an arms embargo and cut off trade and financial ties with Israel while accusing the U.S. ally of waging a "genocidal campaign" in Gaza.
Israel has faced accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the ICC over its devastating military assault on Gaza. Israel denies the accusations and says its campaign amounts to self-defense after a deadly October 2023 Hamas attack.
In a report published earlier this month, Albanese accused over 60 companies, including major arms manufacturers and technology firms, of involvement in supporting Israeli settlements and military actions in Gaza. The report called on companies to cease dealings with Israel and for legal accountability for executives implicated in alleged violations of international law.
Albanese is one of dozens of independent human rights experts mandated by the United Nations to report on specific themes and crises. The views expressed by special rapporteurs do not reflect those of the global body as a whole.
Rights experts slammed the U.S. sanctions against Albanese. Dylan Williams, vice president for government affairs at the Center for International Policy think tank, labeled them as "rogue state behavior" while Amnesty International said special rapporteurs must be supported and not sanctioned.
Reader Comments
A forest walker is most immune and a forest walker knows bout potions and wants to share them - that is the recipe for the potion of better ideas we all ought know already.
No fear here Ken, I know which side of truth I’m on, not saying I get it right all the time, sometimes having to re-adjust to the new reality so to speak, the likes of Rubio & Co actually raise my resolve.
No fear here Ken, I know which side of truth I’m on, not saying I get it right all the time, sometimes having to re-adjust to the new reality so to speak, the likes of Rubio & Co actually raise my resolve.
Peace!
Ken
cause - am I dreaming or was "bsotted" not in it?
originally
most bsotting 7 - why edit that?
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tis no matter I have an image of it already - others do as well!
There’s a Wing Chun Academy here in Sydney, Town Hall, might pop in next time I’m in the area.
comes as no surprise - and Cuba deserves better.
And the basis of the sanctions on the women from Italy speaking truth to power is?
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Dream about it tonight Rubio....you and trump as well...
Last pal did that tis fraid to show up - at the Gaming Day Convention - August 22-24. Be there or be square I said to my pals - and that pal knows he called me wrong - I know as well!
I ain't no bitch to nobody pal.
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Moreover, this esteemed Francesca Albanese ain't either seems as such. Give her heed I say and tell rubio - go back to Cuba you traitor. Take your family with ya. Go back to the times of the casinos - and who set them up rubio - do you even know you prick?
Respect due to the barrister from Italy - even if she works for the misbegotten UN.
And no one can quite get out of bed to do anything about it and the ones who do get "Sanctioned".
STS is too devolved, and devolving for words
Dr. Yeadon warning.
People today are fortunate they walk a paved path
[Link]
i don't know how rig up a liquid bomb in a diet coke can so when he pops the top so does his head just as long as he's gone
blumenthal is the son of Sydney Blumenthal a close aid and ally to Clinton's administration and Hillary campaign.
trump said she would be in jail if he was president then renegade there was also a report when trump was president that the Clinton foundation is guilty of crimes against children and 8 years later she hasn't been arrested? He has the power to do hemanigans but is exemplifying shenanigans.
need more elaboration?
And thanks.
in case of emergency, break the dome-