UN Rapporteur criticizes European leaders over Gaza protests

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese on Monday criticized European leaders for suppressing their citizens’ protests to avoid accountability for what she described as genocide in Gaza.

In a post on X, Albanese said she never expected to see European leaders turn against their own people to shield perpetrators from accountability, adding that such actions include the repression of protests, press freedom, and academic freedom.

She also shared remarks by Indian historian Vijay Prashad, who said it was shocking that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer would not order the release of hunger strikers protesting Israel’s actions against Palestinians in Gaza.