A high-ranking UN official who insisted Israel had no right to “claim the right of self-defense” against Hamas and argued Hamas was “entitled to embrace resistance” took an expensive trip to Australia last week that was funded by Palestinian lobby groups.
Francesca Albanese, the UN Human Rights Council’s special rapporteur tasked with investigating “Israel’s violations,” reportedly took a trip to Adelaide, Australia, that was funded by The Australian Friends of Palestine Association and Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, among others.
In response, the UN Watch sent a letter Wednesday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for the removal of Albanese from her position. In the letter, UN Watch pointed out that “independence and impartiality are basic requirements for UNHRC Special Procedures under Article 3 of the Code of Conduct, which requires them to be ‘free from any kind of extraneous influence…either direct or indirect.’”
“In addition, they may not ‘seek nor accept instructions’ from any ‘non-governmental organization or pressure group whatsoever,’ or accept any ‘favour, gift or remuneration’ from any ‘non-governmental source for activities carried out in pursuit of his/her mandate,’” the letter continued. “The lobbyists’ sponsorship of Ms. Albanese’s trip constitutes a blatantly prohibited form of favour, gift or remuneration under Article 3. The financial favour further subjects Albanese to prohibited direct or indirect influence. Indeed, these groups have urged her to sue an organization that called out her pro-Hamas remarks. All of this is on top of Ms. Albanese’s disgraceful antisemitism and support for terrorism.”
“In light of the above gross violations of UN rules and basic ethics, we urge you to take action to remove Ms. Albanese immediately from her position as Special Rapporteur,” the letter concluded.
Albanese spoke at a Hamas-organized conference in Gaza in late 2022 at which she stated, “You have a right to resist this occupation.” Prior to that, in June 2022, she stated, “Israel says ‘resistance equals terrorism,’ but an occupation requires violence and generates violence.”
In her application for the job she currently holds, to which she was appointed in March 2022, Albanese was asked, “Is there any reason, currently or in the past, that could call into question the candidate’s moral authority and credibility or does the candidate hold any views or opinions that could prejudice the manner in which the candidate discharges the mandate? If yes, please explain.”
“No,” Albanese responded.