July 17, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has joined a broad coalition of countries spanning multiple regions in voicing serious concern over punitive measures taken against Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a letter addressed to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, the group collectively criticised what they described as unilateral sanctions and coordinated smear campaigns—particularly via social media—targeting Albanese and other independent experts operating under the UN’s Special Procedures framework.
The letter, co-signed by a diverse alliance including Brazil, China, South Africa, Spain, Namibia, Iceland, and Sri Lanka, as well as several members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), denounced what it called “unjust and discrediting attacks” aimed at silencing those who bring attention to violations of international law.
The signatories expressed deep alarm over what they characterised as a broader trend of politically motivated intimidation directed at UN-mandated experts. These actions, they warned, pose a serious threat to the integrity and effectiveness of the global human rights system.
Referring to previous statements issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the letter underscored concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of online abuse directed at independent UN officials and human rights bodies. The co-signatories firmly rejected such tactics, asserting that they erode public trust in UN institutions and impede efforts to hold violators accountable.
The statement further highlighted the need to uphold the independence and impartiality of UN mandate holders, warning that punitive responses to their work risk undermining the very credibility of the Human Rights Council itself.
In support of their position, the signatories invoked the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which grants protections to officials acting in their UN capacities. They also urged member states to engage in good faith with the Special Procedures system, as stipulated by General Assembly resolution 60/251.
