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US Treasury Lifts Sanctions on UN Rapporteur Albanese

5/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On May 21, 2026 the U.S. Treasury removed UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese from its sanctions list.
The move restores her global banking access, lifts U.S. travel bans, and follows a preliminary injunction by Judge Richard Leon that deemed the sanctions unconstitutional.
Albanese’s husband, World Bank economist Massimiliano Cali, filed a February civil complaint claiming the penalties debanked the family and violated due process.

History

Historical Context

The Global Magnitsky Act, since its adoption and broadened by Executive Order 13818 on Dec 21 2017, gave the Treasury power to freeze assets of rights violators. Using that authority, the U.S. sanctioned ten Chinese officials in 2018, seizing about $10 million. In May 2026, Judge Richard Leon’s injunction forced the Treasury to drop UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese, underscoring judicial checks on executive sanctioning.

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Story summary

On May 21, 2026 the U.S. Treasury removed UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese from its sanctions list.
The move restores her global banking access, lifts U.S. travel bans, and follows a preliminary injunction by Judge Richard Leon that deemed the sanctions unconstitutional.
Albanese’s husband, World Bank economist Massimiliano Cali, filed a February civil complaint claiming the penalties debanked the family and violated due process.

1 / 2