Children’s rights organisations stand with Francesca Albanese
Eurochild, Child Rights International Network and Defence for Children International, condemn the attacks by some European states against the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Francesca Albanese.
These attacks on the Special Rapporteur are based on disinformation. They are intended to discredit, silence and undermine the work of an individual who has dedicated her career to upholding human rights. The latest attacks follow the unlawful sanctions placed on her by the Trump administration in July 2025, sanctions that have severely hindered the Special Rapporteur’s ability to carry out her mandate and have inflicted lasting harm on her and her family.
At a time when ceasefire violations continue, Israel is attempting to further annex the West Bank, and international NGOs are being banned from Gaza, Ms. Albanese’s role is more important than ever.
States must uphold and promote human rights and the rule of law, not contribute to politically motivated attacks and the weaponisation of disinformation. They must respect the integrity of the UN human rights system, including the crucial oversight role of independent Special Rapporteurs. States that have called for Ms Albanese’s resignation based on manufactured misinformation should publicly correct their positions.
We also believe that such an unjustified attack on a UN Human Rights mandate holder creates a deeply troubling precedent, particularly when it comes from countries that openly claim to champion human rights and support the UN’s Special Procedures system.
As children’s rights organisations, we remain committed to truth, justice and peace, and to speaking out in support of human rights advocates such as Ms Albanese. We echo the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council in standing “in solidarity with Ms Albanese and with the people of Palestine who have been suffering unlawful occupation, apartheid and ongoing genocide.”
Read more:
