Federal Judge Blocks US Sanctions on UN Rapporteur

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday temporarily blocked U.S. sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, ruling that the measures likely violated her First Amendment free speech rights.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction against the sanctions, which were imposed in July 2025 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio under an executive order from President Donald Trump. The restrictions barred Albanese from entering the United States and accessing banking services tied to the U.S. financial system. Leon wrote in his opinion that Albanese's residence outside the U.S. did not negate her constitutional protections and that the government appeared to target her speech because of the views expressed. "Albanese has done nothing more than speak," the judge stated. "It is undisputed that her recommendations have no binding effect on the International Criminal Court's actions - they are nothing more than her opinion." He added, "Protecting the freedom of speech is always in the public interest."

The sanctions stemmed from Albanese's public criticisms of U.S. policy on Gaza and her...