Pakistan, July 16 -- Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian affairs, has strongly criticized the US sanctions placed against her, calling them a clear violation of her diplomatic immunity. While speaking in Bogota, she said the move was not only unprecedented but also a serious attack on her mandate and independence. The US announced the sanctions after she accused Washington of enabling Israeli actions in Gaza.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sanctioned Albanese on July 9, claiming her work was "biased and malicious." Albanese, however, argued that the sanctions violated the UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities, which protects independent UN experts. She warned that such actions send a dangerous...