The Queen’s Palestinian Law Association hosted Francesca Albanese, United Nations (UN) special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 for a talk on Nov. 7.
Lasting around two hours, Albanese expressed gratitude to students and faculty members leading pro-Palestine support efforts at Queen’s, acknowledging the challenging atmosphere surrounding her presence on campus and in Canada. Ardi Imseis, Queen’s Law associate professor and academic director of International Law Programs, moderated the talk.
Imseis described Albanese as having had a “front-row seat to what’s arguably the most catastrophic period in modern Palestinian history.” Albanese’s talk focused on the development of her latest report for the UN, which “examines the unfolding horrors in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
“The violence that Israel has unleashed against the Palestinians post-7 October is not happening in a vacuum, but is part of a long-term intentional, systematic, State organized forced displacement and replacement of the Palestinians,” the report says.
Albanese warns this ongoing course of action could cause irreversible harm to the Palestinian people’s continued presence in their homeland. The report urges Member States to take immediate action to prevent further atrocities that could leave a lasting stain on human history.
Special Rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. Albanese serves as the special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories and was appointed by the Council at its 49th session in March 2022. According to a UN report, she has published extensively on the legal issues in Israel and Palestine and frequently lectures on international law and forced displacement at universities across Europe and the Arab region.
When addressing students’ questions, Albanese was asked how she’s managing the mental load of the work she’s been doing. Albanese responded saying the rage of inaction is keeping her motivated to do more.
“I’m fine, truly. I’m strong, as you can see. I feel strong because it’s important to be that voice in this incredible darkness. I’ve not lost my spirit. Now I’m particularly tired because it’s been a lot, but otherwise, I’m really strong and energetic, and I am sustained by rage,” Albanese told the crowd.
Albanese is currently on a North American speaking tour, including a stop at the House of Commons. She noted while she was scheduled to meet with Canadian parliamentary committees and ministers, these meetings didn’t take place for reasons unknown to her.
She has, however, met with parliamentarians including Charlie Angus, Member of Parliament (MP) for Timmins–James Bay, who posted a photo of himself and Albanese on X on Nov. 5, and Don Davies, MP for Vancouver Kingsway.
At the start of the event, the host announced recording or live streaming wasn’t permitted. According to the University’s statement to The Journal, the decision was based on Queen’s protocols and a risk assessment, limiting attendance to registered Queen’s students, staff, and faculty.
Tags
Palestine, Queen’s Palestinian Law Association, United Nations
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Wolfe Erlichman
Francesca Albanese is the successor to Michael Lynk, a Canadian law professor at Western University, who served as the Rapporteur for the previous 6 years. He basically said the same things as Albanese is saying.