Who is Francesca Albanese, the UN rapporteur sanctioned by the US?

Who is Francesca Albanese, the UN Rapporteur sanctioned by the US?

The US has sanctioned UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who is investigating human rights violations in Palestinian territories. (Image: AFP)

She has described Israel’s military operations in Gaza as “genocide” and has been openly critical of its actions. She has also voiced strong support for the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Image: AFP)

US Secretary of State Mark Rubio denounced her work as “illegitimate and shameful,” citing alleged efforts to prosecute the US and Israel. (Image: AFP)

The sanctions appear to be in retaliation for her vocal human rights investigations and her supportive stance toward ICC actions. (Image: AFP)

The move has intensified tensions between the U.S. and the UN, and has sparked debate over the politicization of human rights reporting. (Image: AFP)

Albanese was appointed in 2022 and operates in an independent, unpaid capacity under the UN, overseeing conditions in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem since 1967. (Image: AFP)