At today’s session of the Human Rights Council, UN Watch took the floor to confront UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese over her latest report on torture—exposing glaring omissions, factual distortions, and a pattern of conduct that has drawn condemnation from leading democracies around the world. The report was also refuted in detail by UN Watch.
UN Watch Testimony Delivered by Hillel Neuer before the U.N. Human Rights Council, March 24, 2026
Ms. Albanese, in your report on torture, why is there not one single mention of Hamas’ horrific torture of Israeli hostages?
You’ve said: “It’s not in my mandate.” But on March 4th, you signed a UN statement condemning US and Israeli strikes in Iran.
Are you mandated to speak on events a thousand miles away from your focus area, and not to say one word on the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th, and for two years after in their Gaza tunnels?
And when you choose to speak on Iran, why is it only to defend the regime—after you refused to say a single word for the thousands of protesters they massacred?
One year ago, the Council President announced that he spoke to you about your conduct, and that you acknowledged his considerations.
However, on September 15, you said “380,000 children under five” were killed in Gaza. Are you aware, this is more than the entire population of children under five in Gaza?
On October 22, you reposted this statement: “Israel is the incarnation of evil.”
Yes or no, is this still your position?
On January 6, you reposted this: “Israel is pure evil in a way the world has never seen before.” Yes or no, is this still your position?
Canada and Germany condemned you for antisemitism and Holocaust inversion. The French Prime Minister has called for your resignation. The UK has called for an investigation. Italy, Netherlands, Argentina and others condemned your conduct. When so many democracies speak with one voice, the problem is not them—it’s you.
