Bogota - Saba:
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, said that the sanctions imposed on her by Washington following her criticism of the U.S. administration’s stance on Gaza constitute a "violation" of her immunity.
According to Agence France-Presse, Albanese made the statement during her visit to Bogotá, nearly a week after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared her work "biased and malicious."
Albanese said, "This is a very serious and unprecedented measure, and I am taking it very seriously."
She is visiting Bogotá to attend a global summit initiated by Colombian President Gustavo Petro aimed at finding solutions to the conflict in Gaza.
The Italian lawyer and human rights expert has faced strong criticism over her repeated accusations that "Israel" is committing "genocide" in Gaza.
Albanese stressed, "This is a clear violation of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which protects UN officials, including independent experts, for statements and actions made while performing their duties."
On July 9, Rubio announced that Washington had imposed sanctions on Albanese "for her illegitimate and disgraceful efforts to push the International Criminal Court to act against U.S. and Israeli officials and companies."
Albanese said the sanctions are "a warning to anyone who dares to stand up for international law, human rights, justice, and freedom."