Watchdog Group Accuses UN Official of Requesting Payments from Activist Organizations
UN Watch is advocating for the removal of Francesca Albanese, who currently holds the position of special rapporteur for Palestinian territories at the Human Rights Council.
A watchdog affiliated with the United Nations has raised concerns regarding alleged ethical misconduct by Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur. Albanese reportedly sought payments for work performed in her official capacity, which is considered a violation of the U.N. Code of Conduct.
The complaint argues that as the special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories within the Human Rights Council, Albanese is prohibited from accepting payment for activities related to her mandate, according to the U.N. Code of Conduct.
Hillel Neuer, the executive director of UN Watch, alleges that Albanese bypassed the prohibition on receiving remuneration by directing payments to her research assistant instead.
The complaint further brings attention to Albanese’s statements and actions that are perceived to endorse antisemitism and terrorism, calling for condemnation and her removal from the position.
Correspondence cited in the complaint, reportedly confirmed by Albanese’s office, reveals that her assistant requested an “honorarium” for Albanese’s participation in an event at Columbia University. The assistant mentioned that Albanese could not accept the payment directly and requested it be transferred to a fellowship supporting her volunteer work.
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According to the email exchange, Albanese’s assistant clarified that any honorarium should not be for official duties but should support her volunteer activities. Additionally, it was mentioned that an unnamed research institute would issue the invoice for the payment.
Contradicting this information, colleague Sara Troian later claimed that she, not Albanese, made the request for the honorarium, as opposed to the initial communication from Albanese’s assistant to the event organizer.
Neuer demanded full transparency from the U.N. regarding all financial transactions involving Albanese, including indirect payments, identification of the institute responsible for issuing invoices, and clarification on the acceptance of non-U.N. funds by U.N. officials.
Investigation into Australia and New Zealand Trip
UN Watch has also called for an investigation into the financial aspects of Albanese’s trip to Australia and New Zealand in November 2023. The trip involved multiple flights across both countries, costing an estimated $22,500.
The complaint suggests that Albanese either received improper remuneration from pro-Palestinian lobby groups to cover her travel expenses or arranged for the U.N. to fund her trip, which was unrelated to her mandate of investigating human rights in Palestinian territories.
Organizations such as the Australian Friends of Palestine Association, Free Palestine Melbourne, the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network, and Palestinian Christians in Australia were mentioned as sponsors or supporters of Albanese’s visit to Australia. In New Zealand, the Palestinians in Aotearoa Coordinating Committee and Palestine Solidarity Network facilitated her trip to lobby for divestment from Israel-related companies.
Neuer urged the U.N. to provide detailed information on the support received from Palestinian lobby groups, present evidence of related expenses, and share records of meetings held during Albanese’s trip.
It was emphasized that funding Albanese’s trip with U.N. resources would violate U.N. regulations, as such funding is reserved for official missions.
The Epoch Times reached out to the U.N. for comment but has not received a response as of the time of publication.
