UN Rights Experts Condemn ‘Disinformation Attacks’ on Francesca Albanese

The Coordination Committee of the UN Human Rights Council's Special Procedures has condemned what it describes as "vicious attacks, rooted in disinformation" by several State Ministers against Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.

In a strongly worded statement released today, the Committee rejected claims made against Albanese following remarks attributed to her at the 17th Al Jazeera Forum.

"We denounce actions by Ministers of certain States to rely on manufactured facts and criticise Ms Albanese for statements that she never made," the Committee said.

Pattern of Politically Motivated Attacks

The Committee said the recent criticism forms part of a broader organised campaign targeting Albanese, including sanctions imposed against her last year, which it described as unlawful and having "devastating consequences" for her and her family.

It warned of what it sees as a growing trend of politically motivated attacks against independent human rights experts, UN officials and international judges engaged in accountability efforts.

The Committee said such actions risk becoming "the new normal" in global politics.

Mandate from the Human Rights Council

The Special Rapporteur's mandate, established by the UN Human Rights Council, is to investigate alleged violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention, in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.

The Committee stressed that Albanese is carrying out a mandate formally entrusted to her by Member States.

"States claiming to uphold human rights, justice and the rule of law should invest their time and energy in holding to account perpetrators of egregious human rights violations, rather than targeting those investigating and exposing international crimes in an objective way," the Committee said.

Call for Accountability Over Gaza

The statement also criticised calls for Albanese's resignation, arguing that government representatives should instead focus on accountability efforts, including proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC), concerning alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

"Instead of demanding Ms Albanese's resignation for performing her mandate in very challenging circumstances … these Government representatives should join forces to hold accountable, including before the International Criminal Court, leaders and officials accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza," the Committee said.

Broader Appeal to Member States

The Committee urged States to reflect on their own roles in enabling or defending what it described as unlawful actions by the Government of Israel.

"States must look in the mirror and undertake urgent course correction. States must choose to stand on the right side of history," the statement said.

The Committee concluded by expressing solidarity with Albanese and with Palestinians, referencing longstanding allegations of unlawful occupation and systemic rights violations.

The statement underscores growing tensions surrounding UN human rights mechanisms and the political pressures faced by independent mandate holders investigating sensitive international conflicts.