UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese tells Al Jazeera Washington’s transfer is retaliation for ‘pursuit of justice’ in Israel’s battle on Gaza.
United Nations professional Francesca Albanese has slammed the choice by the USA to sanction her as “obscene”, saying she is being focused for calling out Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Talking to Al Jazeera on Thursday, Albanese, who serves because the UN’s particular rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, mentioned she wouldn’t be cowed into silence by the US transfer in opposition to her on Wednesday.
Albanese confused that the penalties imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration wouldn’t cease her “quest for [the] respect of justice and worldwide regulation”.
The particular rapporteur mentioned Washington’s ways reminded her of “Mafia intimidation techniques” earlier than suggesting that “sanctions will solely work if persons are scared and cease partaking”.
“I need to remind everybody [that] the explanation why these sanctions are being imposed is the pursuit of justice,” Albanese mentioned.
“After all I’ve been important of Israel. It has been committing genocide and crimes in opposition to humanity and battle crimes,” she added.
Whereas saying the sanctions on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio charged Albanese with waging a “marketing campaign of political and financial warfare in opposition to the USA and Israel”.
The UN rapporteur hit again on Thursday, noting that the atrocities being dedicated in Gaza weren’t simply right down to “the unrelinquished territorial ambitions of Israel” and the backing of its supporters but in addition “companies who’re benefiting from it”.
Final week, she launched a report mapping the firms aiding Israel within the displacement of Palestinians and its genocidal battle on Gaza in breach of worldwide regulation.
Albanese instructed Al Jazeera that she was nonetheless evaluating the results the US sanctions would have on her.
Nevertheless, she mentioned her issues are nothing in contrast with what Palestinians face in Gaza throughout Israel’s ongoing bombardments, floor operations and blockade of the territory.
Albanese additionally took goal on the Gaza Humanitarian Basis (GHF), calling it a “loss of life lure”. The Israeli- and US-backed group runs the help distribution websites the place tons of of Palestinians have been shot and killed since late Could whereas queueing for meals.
Transfer in opposition to Albanese ‘a harmful precedent’
The UN professional additionally defended the Worldwide Prison Court docket’s (ICC’s) investigation into Israeli actions in Gaza and its choice to name for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest on prices of battle crimes.
Rubio has described Albanese’s push for the prosecution of Israeli officers on the ICC because the authorized foundation for the sanctions.
UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres’s spokesman was amongst these to criticise the US sanctions on Albanese.
Whereas highlighting that Albanese experiences to the UN Human Rights Council somewhat than the secretary-general, Stephane Dujarric known as the choice “a harmful precedent”.
“Using unilateral sanctions in opposition to particular rapporteurs or every other UN professional or official is unacceptable,” he mentioned.
UN Human Rights Council Ambassador Jurg Lauber additionally lamented the transfer in opposition to Albanese.
“I name on all UN member states to totally cooperate with the particular rapporteurs and mandate holders of the council and to chorus from any acts of intimidation or reprisal in opposition to them,” Lauber mentioned.
Israel’s campaign in Gaza has destroyed many of the territory and killed greater than 57,575 Palestinians over the previous 21 months, in response to native well being officers.
