Kathmandu: A spokesperson for the United Nations has strongly condemned the United States for imposing sanctions on UN human rights experts, calling the move “unacceptable” and a “dangerous precedent.”

The reaction follows Washington’s recent decision to sanction Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, over her investigations into alleged Israeli human rights violations against Palestinians.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the imposition of such sanctions on UN-mandated experts undermines the independence and integrity of international human rights mechanisms.

The US sanctions were enacted under an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump in February, authorizing punitive measures against individuals linked to investigations deemed “illegal and baseless” by the United States and Israel — particularly those initiated by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The UN has called on the US to reverse its decision, emphasizing that special rapporteurs are independent experts appointed to monitor and report on human rights situations without fear of retaliation or political pressure.