A United Nations rights expert has criticised the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza. Francesca Albanese called the plan “absolutely inadequate” when speaking to reporters in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday. She is in the country to deliver the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture.
The fragile truce is part of a deal to end the two-year war. It includes the recovery of hostages and more aid for Gaza. It also involves the eventual rebuilding of the devastated territory. However, Albanese believes more is needed. She stressed the need to end the occupation and exploitation of Palestinian resources.
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A call for accountability
Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, does not speak on behalf of the UN. However, her analysis is supported by other human rights groups. Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accuse Israel of genocide. Israel denies this charge.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has also weighed in. The UN’s top court yesterday ordered Israel to allow aid into Gaza. It found Israel’s restrictions breached its international obligations. The court said Israel had not justified blocking the UN’s Palestinian relief agency, UNRWA, and found that Israel’s blockade amounted to using starvation as a method of warfare.
Albanese has faced personal consequences for her outspoken criticism. The United States sanctioned her in July, while Israel also declared her persona non grata in February. Despite this, she continues her work.
She described her invitation to deliver the Mandela lecture as a “call of destiny”. The lecture’s theme is “Enhancing Peace and Global Cooperation.” The final analysis from Albanese will be presented to the UN in the coming days.
Image: Francesca Albanese during an interview with Salaamedia at the Nelson Mandela Foundation Centre of Memory on Wednesday, 22 October. [Credit: Nasreen Naidoo]
