UN Watch Press Release
For Immediate Release
BREAKING: France to call for resignation of Francesca Albanese at high-level opening of UNHRC on Feb. 23.
Foreign Minister Barrot: “She presents herself as a UN independent expert, yet she is neither an expert nor independent - she is a political activist who stirs up hate.” pic.twitter.com/obNd4wLWT0
- Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) February 11, 2026
Geneva, February 11, 2026 - UN Watch, the Geneva-based non-governmental organization that monitors the United Nations, today welcomed France’s announcement that it will call for the immediate resignation of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, during the high-level opening of the UN Human Rights Council session on February 23.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, responding to a question from Member of the National Assembly Caroline Yadan during a session in the French parliament, condemned Albanese’s recent remarks made at a conference in Doha on February 7, where she characterized Israel as the “enemy of humanity” in the presence of a Hamas representative and the Iranian Foreign Minister. Barrot described her statements as “outrageous and reprehensible,” adding that they targeted “Israel as a people and as a nation, which is absolutely unacceptable.”
Barrot cited Albanese’s history of inflammatory rhetoric, including her justifying the October 7 Hamas massacre-the worst antisemitic attack since the Holocaust-invoking tropes about “the Jewish lobby,” and comparing Israel to the Third Reich.
“She presents herself as a UN independent expert, yet she is neither an expert nor independent-she is a political activist who stirs up hate,” Barrot stated. He affirmed that France will demand her resignation “with firmness” at the upcoming UNHRC session.
UN Watch commended French MP Caroline Yadan for spearheading a letter signed by 50 lawmakers demanding action against Albanese, who has repeatedly portrayed Israel as the “incarnation of evil” and an “enemy of humanity.” The initiative underscores growing international concern over Albanese’s inflammatory conduct, which undermines the credibility of the United Nations and betrays the principles of impartiality required of UN mandate holders.
Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, praised France’s stance: “France’s bold call for Francesca Albanese’s resignation is a crucial step toward restoring integrity to the UN human rights system. For too long, Albanese has abused her position to spew Goebbels-like demonology against Israel, inciting hatred and legitimizing terrorism under the guise of human rights advocacy. She has disgraced the world body and betrayed the very people she claims to defend.”
Neuer added: “We urge all foreign ministers attending the UN Human Rights Council on February 23 to join France in demanding the removal of this so-called ‘expert.’ The UN cannot afford to harbor activists who stir up hate and undermine peace. Albanese’s rhetoric not only fuels antisemitism but also erodes trust in international institutions at a time when genuine human rights work is desperately needed.”
UN Watch has long documented Albanese’s pattern of extreme bias, including her spreading of blatant Hamas lies, her endorsement of conspiracy theories and her failure to condemn Hamas atrocities unequivocally. The organization calls on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and member states to ensure that special rapporteurs adhere to standards of independence, impartiality, and professionalism.
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