Federal judge blocks US sanctions against UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese
Summary
A federal judge blocked U.S. sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a United Nations expert on Palestinian human rights. The judge said the sanctions punished her for speaking out and that her work is only an opinion without legal power.Key Facts
- Francesca Albanese is a UN special rapporteur monitoring human rights in the West Bank and Gaza.
- The U.S. sanctioned Albanese in July 2025 for criticizing U.S. policy on Israel and Palestine.
- The sanctions prevented Albanese from entering the U.S., using U.S. banks, and blocked others from doing business with her.
- Albanese’s husband and daughter sued the U.S. government in February 2026 to challenge the sanctions.
- U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a preliminary injunction to temporarily stop the sanctions.
- The judge stated the sanctions aimed to punish Albanese for her speech and opinions.
- Albanese had recommended war crimes investigations against Israeli and U.S. nationals at the International Criminal Court.
- Albanese thanked her family and supporters after the ruling, saying they stand united.
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