U.N. Human Rights Council Interrupts Speaker Criticizing U.S.-Sanctioned Official
GENEVA, Switzerland — The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) abruptly cut off a video statement by Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, after she criticized several U.N. officials, including Francesca Albanese, a special rapporteur under U.S. sanctions. The incident occurred during a session on Friday morning, highlighting tensions surrounding accountability and bias within the international body.
Bayefsky’s 90-second video statement was interrupted after she accused U.N. officials of bias and inflammatory conduct. Among those named was Francesca Albanese, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. government since July 2025. The sanctions were announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who cited Albanese’s “unabashed antisemitism,” alleged support for terrorism, and disdain for the United States, Israel, and Western allies. Rubio’s statement also referenced Albanese’s controversial recommendations to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant without what he described as a legitimate basis.
The U.S. sanctions against Albanese are part of broader measures targeting individuals accused of undermining peace and security in the Middle East. The U.S. Department of State has emphasized its commitment to countering antisemitism and terrorism globally, framing the sanctions as necessary to uphold international norms.
The UNHRC’s decision to cut off Bayefsky’s statement was reportedly due to the council deeming her remarks “insulting and inflammatory.” The council’s action has sparked debate about freedom of expression within U.N. forums and the limits placed on criticism of its officials. Critics argue that silencing dissenting voices undermines the transparency and accountability the council is meant to promote.
Francesca Albanese, appointed as the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, has been a polarizing figure. Her reports and statements have drawn sharp criticism from multiple governments and advocacy groups, who accuse her of bias against Israel. The U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, led by Volker Türk, has defended Albanese’s work as part of its mandate to investigate and report on human rights violations impartially.
Anne Bayefsky has been a vocal critic of the U.N.’s handling of human rights issues related to Israel and the Middle East. As head of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, she has frequently challenged what she perceives as institutional bias and politicization within the U.N. system. Her interrupted statement at the council session adds to a series of contentious moments between U.N. officials and their critics.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions at the UNHRC, where debates over human rights are often entangled with geopolitical rivalries. The council’s credibility has been questioned by some member states and observers who view it as disproportionately focused on Israel. The U.S. government, which withdrew from the council in 2018 citing bias concerns, continues to engage with the U.N. through other channels and sanctions.
For more information on the U.N. Human Rights Council and its activities, visit the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Details on the U.S. sanctions against individuals undermining peace efforts can be found on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s sanctions page. The ICC’s mandate and recent actions are outlined on the International Criminal Court’s official website.
The interruption of Bayefsky’s statement serves as a reminder of the complex and often contentious nature of international human rights discourse, where allegations of bias and political influence continue to challenge the pursuit of impartial justice.
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