A Geneva-based watchdog organization today lodged a legal complaint with the United Nations alleging serious financial misconduct and ethical abuses by Francesca Albanese, the UN’s Special Rapporteur charged with investigating “Israel’s violations of the bases and principles of international law.”
The complaint, addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, calls for an immediate investigation and demands Albanese’s removal from her position.
UN Watch’s complaint alleges that Albanese violated the UN code of conduct by illegally requesting payments for work done in her official capacity. The watchdog group argues that Albanese circumvented the prohibition on accepting remuneration by directing honorariums to be paid to her research assistant.
Correspondence cited in the complaint shows Albanese’s assistant, Sara Troian, requesting payment for a lecture on behalf of Albanese.
“Francesca Albanese’s unethical financial practices are a gross violation of UN rules. The United Nations should take immediate action to investigate these allegations and hold her accountable,” said Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch.
Conflicting Accounts on Funding of Albanese’s Australia Trip
UN Watch further requested an investigation into Albanese’s financial practices related to a November 2023 trip to Australia and New Zealand. The complaint estimates that the trip, including multiple flights and accommodations, cost approximately $22,500.
It cites Australian Friends of Palestine Association (AFOPA) and other lobby groups which initially said that they “sponsored” and “supported” Albanese’s visit, in violation of the UN’s rules against accepting favors or remuneration from non-governmental sources.
UN Watch contends that this sponsorship constitutes a breach of the requirement for independence and impartiality under the code of conduct for UN human rights experts.
Contradicting the lobby group’s statement, however, Albanese denied that AFOPA sponsored her trip, claiming instead that it was funded by the UN. However, the complaint argues that UN lacks any legal basis to fund trips by UN experts beyond the region that they are mandated to investigate.
UN Watch Calls for UN Disclosure of Albanese’s Expenses and Honoraria
UN Watch is calling for the disclosure of all expenses related to the trip and questioning the legality of such UN funding for a visit unrelated to her specific mandate.
In its complaint, UN Watch demands an immediate and independent investigation into Albanese’s alleged violations, full disclosure of all honoraria or payments received by Albanese since her tenure began, an explanation of how UN human rights officials can legally accept funds from non-UN sources, and detailed documentation of expenses incurred during Albanese’s trip to Australia and New Zealand.
“Such financial improprieties, if confirmed, warrant Albanese’s removal from her position as Special Rapporteur. UN Watch calls on the UN to uphold its commitment to transparency and public trust by responding to these serious allegations,” said Neuer.
France and Germany Condemn Albanese for Antisemitism
In addition to financial misconduct, the complaint outlines a series of actions and statements by Albanese that UN Watch deems problematic. These include statements in which Albanese has portrayed Israelis as Nazis and “whitewashed Hamas’ atrocities.”
Her statements denying that the Hamas October 7th massacre targeted Jews drew rebuke from international figures and governments, and made her the first UN human rights expert in history to have been condemned by France and Germany.
UN Watch’s complaint marks a significant escalation in the ongoing controversy surrounding Francesca Albanese, with potential implications for the credibility and integrity of the UN and its Human Rights Council, which appointed the former UNRWA legal adviser in 2022 and oversees her work.
The UN has yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
