Albanese: I will not resign and reject lessons from countries that do not condemn genocide in Palestine
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, stated she will not resign and refuses to take lessons from countries that violate international law and fail to condemn genocide.
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, firmly declared in an interview that she would not resign from her position despite facing personal attacks and criticism over her condemnation of the Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank. She emphasized that instead of targeting her personally, Western countries should engage in discussions regarding the reports she has provided, which highlight Israeli violations of international law. Albanese's commitment to her role stems from her belief in addressing the actual issues documented in her reports rather than the attacks aimed at her character.
Albanese indicated that the current campaign against her is overshadowed by the reality of the genocide faced by Palestinians and underscored that the intensity of the backlash reflects the significance of her human rights work. She denied any overreach of her UN mandate, insisting that her observations and advocacy are within her rights, aimed at revealing the human costs of the ongoing conflict. This stance shows her dedication to her mission, regardless of the personal and professional pressures applied by various nations.
Despite the challenges and risks involved in her position, including facing personal sanctions and the lack of financial compensation for her work, Albanese draws inspiration from the suffering of Palestinians, particularly the mothers in Gaza. Her drive to spotlight these issues aims to galvanize others to recognize and respond to the plight of those impacted by the conflict, thus advocating for their rights on a global scale.