US Sanctions UN Expert: A Blow to International Justice and Human Rights Advocacy
Table of Contents
The United States government has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Human Rights Council-appointed Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967. This unprecedented move,enacted on July 9th under an executive order originally issued by President Donald Trump in February 2025,marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions surrounding international accountability for alleged human rights violations.
Silencing a Voice for Justice: The Core of the Sanctions
The sanctions against Albanese are widely interpreted as a direct response to her work in investigating and reporting on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Her role as a Special Rapporteur involves independently assessing human rights issues and reporting findings to the UN Human Rights council. Critics argue that the US action is an attempt to silence a critical voice and undermine the very institutions designed to uphold international law and human rights.
The International Criminal Court and the US Stance
The sanctions come amidst a broader context of US opposition to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigations into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The executive order under which Albanese was sanctioned has previously been used to target individuals and entities associated with the ICC.This policy reflects a broader US strategy to shield certain actors from international legal scrutiny, raising concerns about the erosion of international justice mechanisms.
Human Rights Watch Condemns US Action
Liz Evenson, International Justice Director at Human Rights watch, issued a strong condemnation of the US government’s decision. “The US government’s decision to sanction Albanese for seeking justice through the international Criminal Court is actually all about silencing a UN expert for doing her job, speaking truth about Israeli violations against Palestinians and calling on governments and corporations not to be complicit,” Evenson stated.
Undermining Global Norms and Institutions
Evenson further elaborated on the implications of the US action, highlighting its potential to destabilize the international framework for accountability. “The United states is working to dismantle the norms and institutions on which survivors of grave abuses rely,” she asserted. Human Rights Watch urges UN and ICC member countries to resist these efforts and condemn the sanctions imposed on Albanese.
the Broader Implications for Human Rights and Accountability
The sanctions against Francesca Albanese send a chilling message to human rights defenders and international legal experts worldwide. By targeting a UN-appointed expert for fulfilling her mandate, the US risks undermining the credibility and effectiveness of international human rights mechanisms. This action could embolden states to retaliate against those who investigate and report on human rights abuses, creating a more perilous environment for advocacy and accountability.
The path Forward: Upholding International Law
The international community faces a critical juncture. The sanctions on Albanese underscore the challenges in ensuring accountability for grave international crimes. It is indeed imperative for UN member states and international legal bodies to reaffirm their commitment to international law and human rights principles. Strong collective action is needed to resist attempts to obstruct justice and to protect the vital work of human rights experts and institutions.
For Human Rights Watch’s reporting on Israel/Palestine, please see: https://www.hrw.org/middle-east/north-africa/israel/palestine.
For Human Rights Watch’s reporting on international justice, please see: https://www.hrw.org/topic/international-justice.
The future of international justice hinges on the global commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect those who work tirelessly to expose and address human rights violations. The actions taken in response to the sanctions on Francesca Albanese will undoubtedly shape the landscape of human rights advocacy and accountability for years to come.
