US court order forces removal of sanctions against UN rapporteur
Judge Richard Leon rules that protecting freedom of speech is in the public interest, overturning measures imposed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio last year.
The United States has lifted sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, following a directive from a US federal court. A notice published by the US Treasury Department confirmed that Albanese has been removed from the sanctions blacklist, a designation that had previously restricted her access to global banking systems and major credit card services.
The decision comes after US District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction against the sanctions last week. In his ruling, Judge Leon stated that protecting freedom of speech is always in the public interest, providing the legal basis for the Treasury Department to rescind the measures that had effectively isolated Albanese from international financial transactions.
Albanese, an Italian national, has served as the special rapporteur for the UN Human Rights Council and has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Her tenure has been marked by sharp accusations that Israel is carrying out genocide in the territory, a claim she has maintained despite significant diplomatic backlash.
The sanctions were originally imposed in July last year by then-Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In announcing the measures, Rubio accused Albanese of spewing unabashed antisemitism, expressing support for terrorism, and demonstrating open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West. These allegations have been echoed by the Israeli government, though Albanese has consistently denied them.
The controversy surrounding Albanese intensified after she suggested that victims of the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas were killed due to Israeli actions rather than solely because they were Jewish. This statement drew widespread criticism and contributed to the political pressure that led to the initial sanctions.
The Treasury Department’s recent notice marks a procedural reversal rather than a substantive policy shift regarding Albanese’s views. The removal of her name from the blacklist restores her financial capabilities but does not resolve the underlying diplomatic tensions between the US administration and the UN expert.
Legal observers note that the preliminary injunction addresses the immediate restriction on her speech and financial access, though the source material does not detail the broader appeals process or the long-term implications for future sanctions on UN officials.
