GENEVA – A United Nations human rights spokesperson expressed concern on Friday over attacks on independent UN experts, following calls from several European governments for the resignation of Francesca Albanese, the organisation’s special rapporteur for Palestine.
Read More: UN expert accuses global firms of profiting from violence against Palestinians
Albanese, an Italian lawyer, has been criticised by Germany, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic over alleged remarks about Israel. The Czech Foreign Minister, Petr Macinka, claimed Albanese called Israel a “common enemy of humanity” and demanded her resignation. However, a transcript of her February 7 remarks in Doha shows she did not use that language, though she has consistently criticised Israeli policies amid the Gaza conflict.
Speaking at a press briefing, UN human rights office spokesperson Marta Hurtado said, “We are very worried. We are concerned that UN officials, independent experts and judicial officials, are increasingly subjected to personal attacks, threats and misinformation that distracts from the serious human rights issues.” UN special rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to monitor and document human rights crises worldwide.
A lie was exposed. Instead of retracting it, the SYSTEM that enabled the genocide, attacks the messanger. France knows it stepped in something foul, but pride forbids correction: the archives are ransacked for any stray word. Others repeat the falsehood.
The Inquisition is back. https://t.co/DeYmXN3Mgl— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) February 13, 2026
Francesca Albanese’s Doha speech was doctored to suggest she called Israel the “common enemy of humanity”.
Even after finding out it was a FAKE video; France, Germany and Czech Republic, urged her resignation, despite UN warnings of mounting attacks and disinformation@AJEnglish https://t.co/kTXseCM3p3 pic.twitter.com/ElEQjGHlNj
— Osama Bin Javaid (@osamabinjavaid) February 14, 2026
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called Albanese’s position “untenable,” while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot labelled her alleged comments “outrageous and reprehensible.” In response, Albanese criticised European governments for targeting her while overlooking civilian casualties in Gaza, citing more than 72,000 deaths reported by the Gaza Health Ministry since the conflict began. She also highlighted US sanctions imposed on her following letters to companies accused of contributing to human rights violations in the occupied territories.
Read More: UN experts urge FIFA, UEFA to ban Israel
Albanese’s term as special rapporteur runs until 2028, and she is scheduled to address the Human Rights Council in Geneva next month. While there is no precedent for removing a special rapporteur mid-term, diplomats noted that any proposal to do so would likely face strong resistance from council members supportive of Palestinian rights.
The incident underscores growing tensions between UN independent experts and governments over politically sensitive human rights investigations.