Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, stood firm in her commitment to her work despite receiving threats for her report on the signs of “genocide” committed by Israel against the Palestinian population during the military offensive in Gaza. While she acknowledges that attacks against her have been ongoing since the beginning of her mandate, she believes that human rights work is about amplifying the voices of those who are not heard.
In an interview with The Guardian, Albanese expressed surprise at the lack of response to her report from many Western states, indicating that it speaks volumes about their stance on the issue. She affirmed that her role is to ensure that member states comply with international law and believes that her report may expose what she calls “humanitarian camouflage” regarding Israel’s actions.
Albanese presented a detailed report on Monday that provides evidence to support the claim that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian population. The criteria for this assertion include the murder of group members, infliction of serious harm, and deliberate actions causing physical destruction.
Her dedication to her work despite facing criticism and threats highlights the importance of upholding human rights and international law in conflict zones like the Occupied Palestinian Territories. As a special rapporteur, Albanese has a responsibility to speak out against human rights violations and hold governments accountable for their actions.
