UN Committee Blasts European Ministers Over “Vicious Attacks” on Palestine Envoy
An independent United Nations body has strongly condemned what it termed “vicious attacks” against Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, accusing several European ministers of relying on “fabricated facts” in their calls for her resignation. The incident highlights escalating tensions surrounding human rights advocacy in the Palestinian territories.
### European Ministers Under Scrutiny
The UN Coordination Committee, comprising six independent experts responsible for facilitating the work of special rapporteurs, sharply criticized European nations, including Germany, France, and Italy, for demanding Albanese’s resignation. These calls followed her criticism of Israel, with ministers alleging she had made inflammatory statements. However, Albanese, an Italian lawyer and UN official, has vehemently denied these claims, a denial corroborated by a Reuters investigation which found no evidence she had referred to Israel as “the common enemy of humanity.”
### Call for Accountability in Gaza
In a pointed statement, the UN Coordination Committee accused the European ministers of basing their demands on “fabricated facts.” The Committee asserted that instead of pressuring Albanese for performing her mandate, these governments “should unite to hold leaders and officials accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza accountable, including before the International Criminal Court.” This directive redirects the focus from the human rights expert to those alleged to be responsible for grave violations.
### Broader Trend of Politicized Attacks
The Committee further warned that the pressure exerted on Albanese is part of a concerning and growing trend of “politically motivated and malicious attacks” targeting independent human rights experts, UN officials, and judges of international courts. This pattern suggests a concerted effort to undermine global human rights mechanisms and advocates.
### Historical Precedent: US Sanctions
This is not the first instance of Albanese facing political repercussions for her work. The administration of former US President Donald Trump had previously imposed sanctions on her. At the time, Albanese had accused American companies of complicity in what she described as egregious human rights violations by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank, underscoring a consistent history of external pressure on her role.
