US lifts sanctions on Francesca Albanese, UN expert on Palestinian rights
Summary
The United States has removed sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a UN expert on Palestinian rights, after a judge ruled the sanctions limited her freedom of speech. The sanctions were first put in place by President Trump’s administration because of Albanese’s public criticisms of Israel.Key Facts
- The US Treasury Department took Albanese’s name off its sanctions list related to the International Criminal Court.
- A US federal judge blocked the sanctions, saying they punished Albanese for her opinions, which violated her free speech rights.
- Albanese had recommended that the International Criminal Court issue arrest warrants for Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant.
- The Trump administration accused Albanese of biased actions and trying to use the law to attack Israel (“lawfare”).
- Albanese reported that 48 companies, including Microsoft, Google’s parent company Alphabet, and Amazon, were involved in Israel’s actions in Gaza.
- Albanese has been a UN special rapporteur on Palestinian rights since May 2022.
- President Trump’s government has used sanctions to pressure people supporting Palestinians and other causes like climate change.
- The US recently sanctioned activists trying to break Israel’s Gaza blockade and also sanctioned judges at the International Criminal Court for issuing warrants against Israeli officials.
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