United States has removed sanctions imposed on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, following a US federal court decision that found the measures likely violated her free speech rights, according to official records and court proceedings.
The US Department of the Treasury confirmed the removal in a brief update on its website on Wednesday, listing Albanese under an “International Criminal Court-related Designation Removal” category.
The development comes after US District Judge Richard Leon issued a temporary injunction blocking the sanctions, ruling that they appeared to target Albanese’s speech and advocacy regarding alleged human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The sanctions had been imposed earlier after the administration of US President Donald Trump accused Albanese of “biased and malicious activities,” including her public statements and reports urging accountability mechanisms at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Albanese, who serves as a UN-appointed independent human rights expert, had been sanctioned after publishing a report alleging that multiple companies, including major US tech firms, were complicit in Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The US government argued that her actions amounted to “lawfare” and political bias, while critics said the measures were intended to penalise speech critical of Israeli policies.
Judge Leon, however, found that the government’s actions appeared to be based on disagreement with the “idea or message expressed,” raising constitutional concerns over freedom of expression.
The sanctions were initially introduced alongside broader US measures targeting individuals and organisations linked to pro-Palestinian advocacy and legal proceedings involving Israeli officials at the ICC.
The case has also drawn attention to wider tensions between Washington and international legal institutions, particularly following ICC proceedings involving senior Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Albanese has not yet issued a fresh public statement following the lifting of sanctions. She previously described the measures as an attempt to undermine her mandate and restrict her work as a UN rapporteur.
The case underscores ongoing legal and political disputes in the US over sanctions policy, freedom of expression, and accountability mechanisms related to the Israel–Palestine conflict.