Beirut, Lebanon – Present and former United Nations staffers have spoken out in defence of Francesca Albanese, the UN particular rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, after she confronted assaults from a pro-Israeli NGO and a number of other European authorities officers.
Albanese – who, like all particular rapporteurs, is appointed by the UN Human Rights Council however is just not a UN workers member – has been subjected to repeated assaults from pro-Israeli figures and our bodies, with probably the most fervent critics being UN Watch, a pro-Israel NGO.
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The UN Watch, which isn’t a UN physique, unfold an edited clip of Albanese, 48, talking on the Doha Discussion board earlier this month, by which the NGO falsely mentioned she had known as Israel “the widespread enemy of humanity”.
Albanese’s precise phrases have been: “We now see that we as a humanity have a standard enemy and the respect of basic freedoms is the final peaceable avenue, the final peaceable toolbox that now we have to regain our freedom.”
The NGO’s clip grabbed the eye of European officers, together with these from Austria, Czechia, France, Germany and Italy.
French Overseas Minister Jean-Noel Barrot went so far as saying he would demand her resignation on February 23 when the subsequent session of the UN Human Rights Council is held. On February 9, a bunch of French MPs despatched Barrot a letter denouncing Albanese and calling her remarks “anti-Semitic”. Two days later, Barrot known as for Albanese to resign.
In response, a whole bunch of UN staffers, who’re members of a bunch known as United Workers for Gaza, hit again on the European governments focusing on Albanese.
“United Workers for Gaza regrets the dis-/misinformation that has circulated in current days regarding Particular Rapporteur Albanese, which has been taken up by the French, German and different Overseas Ministers of their levelling of unwarranted, vitriolic accusations in opposition to the Particular Rapporteur,” the group mentioned in an announcement on Friday.
“United Workers for Gaza appeals for a rectification of those errors and requires an finish to private assaults, threats, intimidation, and disinformation focusing on UN businesses, mandate-holders, and personnel.”
United Workers for Gaza is just not an official UN physique, however is made up of present and former staffers, who created the group final July to defend Palestinians’ rights. Right this moment, it boasts almost 2,500 members.
“The initiative serves as a channel for colleagues around the globe, no matter their areas of labor, to talk out in opposition to the perpetration of mass atrocity crimes within the Gaza Strip and assist defend the UN Constitution,” says the group’s web site.
“[Our] assertion is not only to assist her, however to face in opposition to all untruthful smear campaigns that concentrate on the UN and advocates for the human rights of Palestinians worldwide, together with UNRWA,” Dali ten Hove, a former UN staffer and member of the United Workers for Gaza, informed Al Jazeera, referring to the UN Reduction and Works Company for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Albanese, an Italian human rights lawyer and skilled, was appointed the UN particular rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories in Might 2022. Right this moment, she is among the most outstanding international figures calling out Israel for its genocidal conflict in Gaza, and advocating for Palestinian rights typically – a stand that has led to quite a few assaults on her by pro-Israeli governments and organisations.
Albanese has additionally been backed by UNRWA, which in an announcement mentioned the newest assaults on her “purpose at silencing her voice and undermining the few remaining unbiased human rights reporting mechanisms”.
The UN physique added that there had been “coordinated campaigns search[ing] to discredit and silence those that communicate out about human rights impacts and violations of worldwide humanitarian legislation”.
Chris Gunness, former UNRWA communications director, informed Al Jazeera that pro-Israel politicians within the donor group are largely in charge for the assaults on Albanese.
“They allowed purveyors of industrial-scale pretend information, doctored soundbites, anti-Palestinian hate speech and genocide denial, to blague their manner into nationwide parliaments and have a voice within the discourse round Palestine refugees,” he mentioned.
“The credibility of Israel’s proxies is hanging in rags. The condemnable assault on Francesca Albanese exposes their deliberate deceit for the home of playing cards it all the time was.”
Greater than 100 artists additionally backed Albanese after requires her resignation grew amongst pro-Israeli governments and teams.
Amid rising assist for Albanese, a touch upon the controversy by Stephane Dujarric, UN Secretary-Basic Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson, triggered a stir amongst some UN staffers.
“We now have all the time believed that the establishment of particular rapporteurs, whereas being fully separate from the secretary-general, is a vital a part of the worldwide human rights structure. We don’t all the time agree with what they are saying, and that features Ms Albanese,” he informed reporters on Thursday.
However ten Hove mentioned Dujarric may have acknowledged that the quotes attributed to Albanese have been pretend. He additionally known as for the spokesperson to respect the integrity of the UN human rights system, “like the pinnacle of UNRWA and the spokesperson of the [UN] Human Rights Workplace did”.
A number of European authorities figures have additionally come underneath fireplace for his or her assaults on Albanese.
“It’s reprehensible that ministers in Austria, Czechia, France, Germany and Italy have attacked the UN Particular Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Francesca Albanese, primarily based on a intentionally truncated video to misrepresent and gravely misconstrue her messages – as is obvious from watching her unique deal with in its entirety,” Amnesty Worldwide’s Secretary-Basic Agnes Callamard mentioned in a assertion on Friday.
Callamard mentioned some ministers have “unfold disinformation” concerning Albanese, and demanded their apology.
“If solely these ministers had been as loud and forceful in confronting a state committing genocide, illegal occupation and apartheid as they’ve in attacking a UN skilled,” Callamard wrote. “Their cowardice and refusal to carry Israel accountable stand in stark distinction to the Particular Rapporteur’s unwavering dedication to talking fact to energy.”
Regardless of the criticism, French Overseas Minister Barrot has not retracted his name for Albanese to resign.
United Workers for Gaza’s ten Hove mentioned the French place in opposition to Albanese was disappointing, as France has performed a “very constructive function, shepherding via” the UN Basic Meeting’s declaration on Palestine final September.
Schams El Ghoneimi, former MENA adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron’s social gathering within the European Parliament, additionally criticised the French place.
“It’s unimaginable to me to see France facet with the Israeli authorities’ propaganda in opposition to the UN particular rapporteur,” El Ghoneimi informed Al Jazeera.
“Does our authorities need to stand agency by worldwide legislation, and due to this fact denounce the Israeli authorities’s unprecedented and ongoing violations in Gaza and the West Financial institution?” he requested. “Does it need to facet with the grotesque propaganda of Israeli authorities? France’s credibility is at stake right here.”
