US says removal of UN expert Albanese from sanctions list is not a policy change
The U.S. has temporarily removed UN expert Francesca Albanese from its sanctions list, but this does not indicate a change in policy. The sanctions were originally imposed due to her advocacy for actions against U.S. and Israeli officials. The State Department stated that they plan to restore her sanctions if a court ruling is overturned.
- ▪Francesca Albanese was sanctioned by the U.S. in July 2025 for her efforts related to the International Criminal Court.
- ▪A federal judge recently blocked these sanctions, citing potential violations of her free-speech rights.
- ▪The U.S. government has appealed the court's decision and may reinstate the sanctions depending on the outcome.
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US says removal of UN expert Albanese from sanctions list is not a policy changeSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxFILE PHOTO: Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, attends a news conference during the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, March 24, 2026. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File PhotoPublished May 22, 2026, 03:49 AMUpdated May 22, 2026, 04:03 AMListenMay 21 - The U.S. decision to remove Francesca Albanese, a U.N. expert on the Palestinian territories, from a list of sanctioned individuals is temporary and does not reflect a policy change, the State Department said on Thursday.The U.S.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.