The European Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH) unequivocally condemns the recent campaign against Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territory Occupied since 1967. This escalation, which has gained support from several Western states, is an attempt to undermine a mandate holder who plays a critical role in documenting Israel’s violations of international law.
This intensified assault on Albanese’s work coincides with the release of her latest report to the UN General Assembly and clearly aims to deflect attention from Israel’s ongoing campaign of violence, colonization, and apartheid against the Palestinian people. By seeking to undermine Albanese’s mandate, Israel and certain allied states are attempting to shield themselves from accountability under international law, avoiding scrutiny for their complicity in Israel’s breaches of international humanitarian law, human rights abuses, and alleged international crimes, including genocide and apartheid.
The attack on Albanese’s mandate is not merely an affront to one individual but constitutes a wider assault on the principles of international law and the human rights framework established by the United Nations. This attack signals a dangerous disregard for the independence of UN mechanisms and threatens to delegitimize the role of the UN in holding states accountable for violations of international law. The fact that certain states, including the United States, Canada, and European allies, have supported this campaign highlights a troubling dereliction of their own legal obligations under international law. Rather than promoting accountability, these states are supporting actions that seek to dismantle the mechanisms that protect fundamental human rights and ensure state compliance with international norms.
The ELDH further emphasizes that states have a legal obligation to uphold and support the independence of UN Special Rapporteurs, who stand at the forefront of defending human rights worldwide. Attempts to silence these voices weaken the global commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and numerous international treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Geneva Conventions, and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
The ELDH reminds Third States of their duty to ensure compliance with international law, urging them to focus their resources on concrete measures to hold Israel accountable. Instead of targeting a UN mandate holder with unfounded accusations, states must prioritize their legal obligations, which include the enforcement of provisional measures set forth by the International Court of Justice and the implementation of sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel to end ongoing violations.
We express our unwavering support for Francesca Albanese and all UN Special Rapporteurs who strive to protect human rights and uphold international law under immense pressure. We call upon the international community to reject this campaign of intimidation and affirm its commitment to the rule of law, accountability, and justice.