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More than 150 former diplomats and senior officials have signed an open letter condemning French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné for what they describe as a “disinformation” campaign against UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.
The controversy erupted after Séjourné accused Albanese of antisemitism following her comments on Israel’s military operations in Gaza. In a statement that drew international attention, Séjourné claimed Albanese’s positions disqualified her from her role at the United Nations.
The open letter, whose signatories include former UN officials, ambassadors, and senior diplomats from multiple countries, strongly refutes these allegations, characterizing them as “unsubstantiated” and “harmful” to the integrity of international human rights mechanisms.
“The French government’s accusations represent a dangerous attempt to undermine the credibility of an independent expert whose mandate is to document human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories,” said Jean-Claude Mignon, a former French ambassador and one of the letter’s organizers.
Albanese, an Italian legal expert appointed to her UN position in 2022, has been outspoken in her criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which began following the October 7 Hamas attacks. Her reports have documented civilian casualties and potential violations of international humanitarian law.
The diplomatic row intensified when France officially announced it would no longer cooperate with Albanese’s office, a move the signatories describe as “unprecedented” and “contrary to France’s historical commitment to multilateral institutions.”
International human rights organizations have expressed concern that the French position could set a troubling precedent for how member states interact with UN special rapporteurs. Amnesty International called the situation “a direct challenge to the independence of human rights mechanisms that all UN member states should uphold.”
The controversy highlights growing tensions between Western governments and UN human rights officials over the Gaza conflict. Several countries, including the United States and Germany, have expressed concerns about what they perceive as disproportionate focus on Israel within UN bodies.
“This dispute goes beyond one individual,” explained Richard Falk, former UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights. “It reflects a broader debate about accountability for all parties in the conflict and the role of international organizations in documenting potential war crimes.”
The letter also notes that Albanese has consistently condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks while maintaining that such actions do not justify collective punishment of Palestinian civilians.
The French Foreign Ministry defended its position, stating that France remains committed to international law but “cannot accept rhetoric that appears to delegitimize Israel’s right to defend itself.” Ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre added that France continues to support the work of the United Nations broadly, despite this specific disagreement.
The controversy occurs against the backdrop of increasing civilian casualties in Gaza, where local health authorities report more than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since October, with the majority being women and children.
Diplomatic sources suggest the dispute may also reflect France’s delicate balancing act in the Middle East, where it maintains strong ties with both Israel and Arab nations while seeking to position itself as a potential mediator in the conflict.
Albanese herself responded to the accusations in a measured statement, saying, “My mandate requires me to report on violations of international law regardless of who commits them. This is not a political position but a legal obligation.”
The letter concludes by calling on the French government to retract its accusations and re-engage with the Special Rapporteur’s office “in the spirit of constructive dialogue that has long characterized France’s approach to international institutions.”
Analysts note that this diplomatic confrontation occurs at a time when the International Court of Justice is considering allegations of genocide against Israel, further complicating the international legal landscape surrounding the Gaza conflict.
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8 Comments
This is a concerning development. Discrediting UN experts who report on human rights issues is a troubling tactic to undermine accountability. I hope the French government reconsiders its approach and allows the independent investigation to proceed without interference.
Agreed. Attacking the credibility of UN rapporteurs sets a dangerous precedent. The international community should stand firm in defending the integrity of these mechanisms, even when the findings may be politically inconvenient.
This dispute highlights the delicate balancing act UN experts must navigate when examining sensitive geopolitical issues. While their findings may be uncomfortable for some, their independence and professionalism should not be called into question without strong justification.
This dispute highlights the challenges UN rapporteurs face in navigating politically sensitive issues. While reasonable people may disagree on the details, it’s crucial that their work is not undermined by unwarranted personal attacks. The signatories of this letter are right to defend the integrity of the process.
It’s important that UN human rights experts can carry out their mandates without facing unsubstantiated accusations of bias. This open letter by former diplomats sends a strong message in support of Francesca Albanese’s independence and professionalism.
Absolutely. Smear campaigns against UN officials who document human rights violations are deeply concerning. The French government should focus on addressing the substance of the allegations, not attacking the messenger.
The French government’s actions seem heavy-handed and counterproductive. Rather than engage constructively with the UN expert’s findings, they are trying to discredit her. This sets a worrying precedent that could undermine the credibility of important human rights mechanisms.
Agreed. Governments should welcome independent scrutiny, not lash out against it. The international community needs to stand up for the independence of UN rapporteurs and ensure they can fulfill their mandates without fear of reprisals.