United States of America: Sanctions on the United Nations Special Rapporteur an assault on human rights

We, the signatory civil society organisations, are gravely concerned about United States of America (USA) sanctions imposed on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. In today’s challenging environment where political polarization, crisis in multilateralism, and a weakened rules-based international order prevail, this action poses severe implications for UN Special Procedures.

Special Rapporteurs must be supported, not undermined and sanctioned in their efforts to reaffirm the significance of human rights. Acts of intimidation, reprisal and retaliation against Special Procedures are a severe hindrance to multilateralism and international justice.

Sanctioning goes far beyond undermining international solidarity. It weakens the voices of local, regional and international civil society that has relentlessly cooperated with and reported to the mandate. Such actions de-legitimise the work of other official mandates and hundreds of human rights defenders advocating jointly for justice and accountability.

These sanctions constitute an attack on the UN human rights pillar and international solidarity as a foundational principle underpinning international law and the entire UN system. The principle of equal treatment is central to the work of Special Procedures, ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and without discrimination. The same principle should be applied by UN Member States towards Special Rapporteurs.

The assault follows a pattern of attacks on the UN Special Rapporteur for exposing the ongoing genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity taking place in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The pattern further accentuates the insidious nature of the sanctions. 

We call on the Government of the USA to reverse the decision. Furthermore, we call on States to reject and mitigate the impact of illegitimate sanctions and protect and promote the full independence of Special Procedures. This includes the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Rapporteur is an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council.

The signatory organisations welcome the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the President of the UN Human Rights Council and the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures and other parties’ unequivocal condemnation of the sanctions and reprisals against UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

Signatories:

1. CIVICUS
2. International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
3. Front Line Defenders
4. Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
5. Global Human Rights Defence
6. Vuka! Coalition
7. Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l'amitié entre les peuples (MRAP)
8. American Association of Jurists (AAJ)
9. American Civil Liberties Union