US Sanctions UN Rights Expert Francesca Albanese Over ICC Engagement

July 10, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

The United States has imposed sanctions on Francesca Paola Albanese, the United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied since 1967, accusing her of supporting efforts to investigate and prosecute US and Israeli nationals through the International Criminal Court (ICC).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions were imposed under President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14203, which targets actions linked to the ICC.

Rubio said Albanese had engaged with the ICC in efforts to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute citizens of the United States and Israel without the approval of either country. He argued that such actions violated the sovereignty of the two countries, which are not parties to the Rome Statute that established the ICC.

The US government has previously criticised Albanese’s work as a UN special rapporteur, accusing her of bias against Israel and the United States. Rubio also accused her of expressing antisemitic views, supporting terrorism and showing hostility toward Western countries.

The secretary said Albanese had recently expanded her activities by sending letters to international entities, including US companies in sectors such as finance, technology, defence, energy and hospitality, accusing them of wrongdoing and urging ICC investigations.

Rubio said Washington would continue taking measures against what it described as "lawfare" and efforts to expand the ICC’s authority beyond its mandate.

"The United States will continue to take whatever actions we deem necessary to respond to lawfare, to check and prevent illegitimate ICC overreach and abuse of power, and to protect our sovereignty and that of our allies," Rubio said.

Source: FSX Business News