March 28, 2025
His Excellency Jürg Lauber
President, Human Rights Council
United Nations
Palais des Nations
1211 Geneva
Switzerland
Dear President Lauber,
I am writing on behalf of ADL (Anti-Defamation League) to formally request that the Human Rights Council not renew the term of Ms. Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, upon its expiration on April 1, 2025. Ms. Albanese's conduct has consistently violated the Code of Conduct for Special Procedure Mandate-Holders as outlined in HRC resolution 5/2, warranting the rejection of her reappointment under UNHRC Presidential Statement 8/PRST/2.
ADL has documented numerous instances where Ms. Albanese has made inflammatory and antisemitic statements, undermining the principles of impartiality and integrity required of her role as set out by UNHRC resolution 5/2. She has fostered for antisemitic narratives and Holocaust distortion and has amplified unverified claims from terrorist organizations like Hamas. Her rhetoric, including recent comments accusing Jewish organizations of using "mafia tactics" for advocating on behalf of Jewish communities, further demonstrates her unfitness for any UN post. Such statements not only perpetuate harmful antisemitic tropes but also compromise the credibility of the UNHRC in fighting prejudice and hate, and the Secretary General’s expressed commitment to combating global antisemitism.
Ms. Albanese's actions have been widely condemned, and her unfitness to hold UN office has been pointed out by multiple government officials from Canada, France, Germany, and the United States. The UNHRC must uphold the integrity and independence of its special procedures system. The mounting evidence of Ms. Albanese's violations obligates the Council to act decisively and ensure her mandate is not extended. Failure to address this issue would signal an unacceptable tolerance for antisemitism within the UNHRC.
We urge you to uphold the Council's commitment to impartiality, accountability, and human rights for all by denying Ms. Albanese's reappointment. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter, and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Greenblatt
CEO and National Director
Anti-Defamation League
CC:
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly