Defence for Children International, Eurochild and Child Rights International Network condemn the attacks launched by certain European states against Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.

These attacks on the Special Rapporteur are based on misinformation and aim to discredit, silence and undermine the work of a person who has dedicated her career to defending human rights. The latest attacks come on top of the illegal sanctions imposed by the Trump administration in July 2025, which have severely hampered the Special Rapporteur’s ability to carry out her mandate and caused significant problems for her and her family.

At a time when violations of the ‘ceasefire’ continue, while Israel is attempting to further annex the West Bank and international NGOs are being banned from Gaza, Francesca Albanese’s role is more important than ever.

States must defend and promote human rights and the rule of law, and cease contributing to politically motivated attacks and the use of disinformation as a weapon. They must respect the integrity of the UN human rights system, including the crucial oversight role of independent special rapporteurs. States that called for Ms Albanese’s resignation on the basis of false and manipulated information should publicly correct their position.

We also believe that such an unjustified attack on a UN human rights mandate holder sets a serious and worrying precedent, particularly when it comes from countries that openly claim to defend human rights and support the UN special procedures system.

As children’s rights organisations, we remain committed to truth, justice and peace, and we openly support human rights defenders such as Francesca Albanese. We join our voice to that of the Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures Coordination Committee in expressing our ‘solidarity with Ms Albanese and the Palestinian people who are suffering from illegal occupation, apartheid and ongoing genocide’.