Geneva - Saba:
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has strongly condemned the US State Department's decision on Wednesday to impose sanctions on the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor considered this decision a step that reflects the official US position on any independent attempt to uncover the truth about the crimes of genocide committed by "Israel" in the Gaza Strip.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement today, Wednesday this decision constitutes a serious deviation from the fundamental principles of international law and human rights, represents a direct targeting of the United Nations and its mechanisms, and threatens the independence of the work of special rapporteurs, who are supposed to enjoy protection and support in carrying out their impartial duties, not be punished for fulfilling part of their responsibilities and calling crimes by their proper names.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions Wednesday evening against UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, due to her efforts to urge "actions against American and Israeli officials, companies, and executives," according to his statement.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor emphasized that Ms. Albanese was among the few voices who showed the moral and professional courage to describe what was happening in Gaza as a genocide being committed in full view of the world.
It spoke clearly about the complicity of major powers, led by the United States, in arming and covering up this crime, and criticized countries that did not implement the arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while he was transiting through their territory or airspace.
It stressed that Albanese's work "is legitimate and fully consistent with her mandate. She is officially mandated by the Human Rights Council to monitor violations in the occupied Palestinian territories. Her documentation and calls for accountability are at the core of her duties. Her call for accountability is not "war," as the US Secretary of State claims, but rather a defense of international law.
More importantly, recommending sanctions or an arms embargo is consistent with the peaceful tools available under international law to address international crimes. It is unreasonable to consider calling for respect for international law a crime."
The Observatory emphasized that these sanctions constitute a violation of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which grants UN officials, including Special Rapporteurs, immunity from legal or administrative action for any actions or statements they make in their official capacity.
The Observatory emphasized that Albanese's reports and statements fall within her official duties, carried out within her legal mandate, meaning she is legally protected from any retaliatory or punitive action, including economic or political sanctions imposed on her due to her official work.
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