“Silence is not an option”: UN Special Procedures’ Coordination Committee condemns US sanctions on Francesca Albanese

The Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council today strongly condemned the US Government’s sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, for allegedly assisting the International Criminal Court in taking action against the US or Israel officials.

“These are not only sanctions against one independent human rights expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. Rather, they reflect the continued assault of the current US administration on the entire UN system and its core values of human rights, justice, accountability and the rule of law,” the Committee said.

The Committee pointed out that Francesca Albanese has only been discharging her mandate given by the Human Rights Council, which specifically requests the Special Rapporteur to investigate Israel’s violations of the principles and bases of international law, international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967. “Despite facing very challenging circumstances, including intimidation and coordinated personal attacks (including against her family members),  Albanese has been operating in line with the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures mandate holders,” they said.

“Documenting and exposing the grave violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law committed by Israel and other actors is work that should be supported by States, not sanctioned or undermined. We applaud the courage of Francesca Albanese in speaking truth to power and stand in solidarity with her.”

“Despite such attempts to intimidate UN Special Procedures mandate holders, we will continue to act independently and with integrity to discharge our mandates given by the Human Rights Council to uphold international human rights standards,” the Committee said.

They stressed that sanctions will not silence Albanese or other mandate holders performing their legitimate work to hold all States and other actors accountable for human rights violations.

“Remaining silent in the face of such blatant disregard and contempt for human rights law is not an option,” the Committee said, calling on all States, the Human Rights Council and members of the international community to act decisively to defend the multilateral system for the promotion and protection of human rights and condemn this unjustified attack on Francesca Albanese and the UN human rights system as a whole.

“The ongoing erosion of the human rights ecosystem and its accountability mechanisms can no longer be ignored,” the Committee said.