US sanctions UN expert over Israel criticism

GENEVA: The UN called on Washington on Thursday to reverse its decision to sanction a UN expert who has repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and has criticised US policy on the war there.

- 

United Nations rights chief Volker Turk also called for a halt to “attacks and threats” against people appointed by the UN and other international institutions like the International Criminal Court, whose judges have also been hit with US sanctions.

"I urge the prompt reversal of US sanctions against a Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council, Francesca Albanese, in response to work she has undertaken under the mandate on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory," Turk said in a statement.