In a joint letter, European Parliament lawmakers today formally opposed the reappointment of Francesca Albanese for promoting terrorism and antisemitism, and demanded that the Council take action as required under its rules to consider her persistent non-compliance with the Code of Conduct ahead of any renewal of her term.
We are writing to strongly object to the reappointment of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. As set forth in the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-Holders of the Human Rights Council (Resolution 5/2), Ms. Albanese must act impartially and with integrity.
However, since assuming office in May 2022, she has persistently violated the Code of Conduct, tarnishing the reputation of the United Nations as a whole. Consequently, Ms. Albanese’s term must not be renewed. While serving as Special Rapporteur, Ms. Albanese has repeatedly called for Israel’s expulsion from the United Nations , and systematically used her platform to spread inflammatory rhetoric, antisemitism and statements legitimizing Hamas terrorism.
Imnediately after the Hamas massacre on 7 October 2023, Ms. Albanese attempted to justify the terrorist attacks as a “reaction to Israel’s oppression,” 3 stating that the unconscionable violence “must be put in context.”
She likened the Israeli government to the “Third Reich,” and compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.
For these and other statements, Ms. Albanese has been condemned for antisemitism by France, Germany, Canada and the United States over the past year alone.
Ms. Albanese’s systematic violation of the basic norms of the United Nations must not go unchecked. We therefore urge you to fulfil your obligation, to convey to the Council all information brought to your attention concerning Ms. Albanese’s persistent non-compliance with the Code of Conduct. This obligation applies “especially prior to the renewal of mandate holders in office,” which is now.
