Question 13164 — international organizations

Summary

Ms. Gabrielle Cathala questions the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs on his false statements of February 11, 2026 during current questions to the Government in the National Assembly concerning Ms. Francesca Albanese, United Nations special rapporteur responsible for examining the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, as well as on her announcement made the same day to bring on behalf of France to next United Nations Human Rights Council a request for the resignation of Ms. Albanese. Ces remarks made in the National Assembly notably consisted of calling into question the independence and expertise of Ms. the special rapporteur, presented as a political activist engaged in hate speech, and of relaying a contested interpretation of her public declarations. However, several incontestable elements of clarification indicate that the words attributed to him have been distorted. During her public intervention on February 7, 2026 at Al Jazeera in Doha, Ms. Albanese did not qualify a State or a people as a “common enemy of humanity”, but denounced an international system allowing the continuation of serious violations of international law, allowing the genocide of the Palestinian people. The accusations against Ms. Albanese are based on a distortion manifest his remarks which the minister could not ignore. The MP also notes that the Minister is, in an unprecedented manner, the subject of direct indictment by the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH), which reinforces the need for rapid, rigorous public speech based on exact elements. Public questioning of the independence of a United Nations special rapporteur questions the respect by the Minister of the functioning of the special procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the holders of which are appointed according to supervised and independent procedures. Their mandate is precisely to document human rights violations, including when their findings may be politically sensitive. As such, contesting their legitimacy because of their work or calling for their resignation is a direct, undignified and dangerous attack on the UN system for protecting human rights. These public positions taken by the Minister are part of a broader context of increasing pressure exerted on international experts, human rights defenders and critical voices documenting violations of international law, particularly on the situation in the territories. occupied Palestinians. The personal and political questioning of a UN mandate holder, due to her analyzes and findings, raises concerns about respect for freedom of expression and the capacity of international mechanisms to operate independently. Furthermore, criticism of the policies carried out by the government of Israel is part of the democratic debate and the completely normal work of defenders. human rights; Assimilating it to a partisan position or hate speech is likely to weaken their legitimacy and dissuade any independent expertise on situations of human rights violations. These dynamics contribute to weakening the conditions for an independent and rigorous examination of alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in this region. In this regard, the CNCDH recalls that criticism of a government's policies, including those of the State of Israel, falls within freedom of expression and cannot be equated with anti-Semitism. Confusing legitimate political criticism and hatred of a people therefore risks weakening the scope of the legitimate and essential fights against anti-Semitism. In this context, the Member asks the Minister if he intends to return quickly and publicly on the remarks made in the National Assembly concerning Ms. Francesca Albanese by recognizing the inaccuracies attributed to her and proceeding with their official rectification. She also questions him about his intention to apologize to the special rapporteur for calling into question her independence and professional integrity. She finally asks him if he plans to give up any request for resignation. concerning, a request which would further isolate and ridicule France on a diplomatic level, and to reaffirm without any reservation France's attachment to respecting the independence of United Nations special procedures and to protecting the work of human rights defenders.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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