US judge suspends sanctions against Francesca Albanese in the name of freedom of expression

A US federal judge has temporarily suspended sanctions targeting Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on Palestine. The measures were imposed in 2025 after his criticism of American policy on Gaza and his support for the actions of the International Criminal Court against Israeli officials. They included financial restrictions, travel limitations and diplomatic isolation measures intended to weaken his mandate. Judge Richard Leon ruled that freedom of expression must be protected and that this was in the public interest. The sanctions therefore remain blocked while the legal proceedings continue.

The sanctions were announced by former Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who accused Francesca Albanese of unfairly targeting the United States and Israel in her public positions. Washington criticized him in particular for his support for ICC investigations targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as his repeated accusations of genocide in Gaza. Since her appointment by the UN Human Rights Council in 2022, Albanese has become a central figure in international debates over genocide in Gaza and the Israeli occupation. Her reports provoked strong diplomatic reactions in Europe and the United States, but she also received the support of hundreds of diplomats, artists and public figures denouncing a pressure campaign against her.

Despite political attacks and attempts at intimidation, Francesca Albanese continues to defend her positions consistently. For many of her supporters, she embodies an independent voice who refuses to give in to pressure and who places international law and the defense of civilians above political interests.