US lifts sanctions on UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese after court challenge

The United States has lifted sanctions imposed on Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, following mounting legal and political pressure over the move.

The decision came one week after a federal judge criticized the sanctions as conflicting with freedom of expression.

In a brief update published Wednesday, the US Treasury Department confirmed that Albanese’s name had been removed from its sanctions list related to the International Criminal Court.

The legal challenge was filed by Albanese’s husband and daughter, who argued that the sanctions were politically motivated and imposed because of her outspoken criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

During the hearing, US District Judge Richard Leon granted a temporary suspension of the sanctions, observing that the administration had effectively sought to suppress Albanese’s public statements and professional opinions.

The administration had previously accused Albanese of engaging in what it described as “biased and hostile activities,” particularly after she recommended that the ICC pursue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged actions linked to the Gaza conflict.

However, Judge Leon noted that Albanese’s recommendations to the ICC carried no binding legal authority and reflected her independent views as a UN expert.

Although Albanese did not immediately comment on the lifting of the sanctions, she had earlier said the measures were intended to “undermine” her mission. She also thanked supporters and family members in a post on X.

The sanctions were originally imposed in July after Albanese published a report naming 48 companies allegedly linked to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The report included major global technology firms such as Microsoft, Alphabet Inc. and Amazon.

Francesca Albanese has served as an independent expert under the United Nations Human Rights Council since May 2022.