Story perspectives

US Lifts Sanctions on UN Rapporteur After Court Ruling

5/21/2026

Summary

US Lifts Sanctions

The United States lifted sanctions on UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese for the Palestinian territories.
Judge Richard Leon issued a May 13 injunction, finding the sanctions violated Albanese’s First Amendment free-speech rights after a February lawsuit by her family.
The Treasury Department recorded the removal on its website under “International Criminal Court-related Designation Removal,” ending the July 2025 entry and banking bans after her report naming 48 firms including Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon.

Summary

Albanese Accuses Genocide

Albanese accused Israel of genocide in Gaza after October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, saying victims died because of Israeli actions, not because they were Jewish.
The Italian lawyer and UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur urged the ICC to investigate Israeli war crimes and seek an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Albanese’s call has drawn backlash from pro-Israel groups and some U.S. politicians.

History

Historical Context

In the late 1990s the United States placed Sudan on its State Sponsors of Terrorism list, imposing sanctions that lasted 18 years and cost the country about $1.5 billion in foreign investment. In May 2025, Treasury officials lifted the ICC-related designation on UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese after Judge Richard Leon ruled the restriction violated her First-Amendment rights, showing how U.S. sanctions can be reshaped by legal challenges.

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US Lifts Sanctions

The United States lifted sanctions on UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese for the Palestinian territories.
Judge Richard Leon issued a May 13 injunction, finding the sanctions violated Albanese’s First Amendment free-speech rights after a February lawsuit by her family.
The Treasury Department recorded the removal on its website under “International Criminal Court-related Designation Removal,” ending the July 2025 entry and banking bans after her report naming 48 firms including Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon.

1 / 3