The UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, has described Israeli attacks and practices in Palestine as “genocide.”
Speaking at a conference organised by the group “Academics for Palestine” at Trinity College Dublin, Albanese stated that what is happening in Palestine constitutes a blatant violation of human rights. Citing international law, she emphasised the need for humanity to face the truth with courage and discuss events based on knowledge and facts, free from distortion.
The UN rapporteur highlighted the role of students and young people who stand against injustice in Palestine, describing them as the cornerstone of this struggle. She asserted that those striving for justice are the true force in safeguarding a just social order.
In response to a student’s question about whether international law is still effective, Albanese explained that the issue does not lie in the legal texts themselves but in the mechanisms of their implementation and the “betrayal of politicians” responsible for enforcing them. She stressed the importance of reforming international law by addressing its flaws and strengthening its enforcement mechanisms rather than abandoning it.
Genocide is classified as one of the most serious crimes under international law, according to the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The convention states that any act intended to destroy a national, ethnic, or religious group, in whole or in part, constitutes genocide, which aligns with Albanese’s description of events in Palestine.
Furthermore, Article 1 of the convention obliges member states to prevent this crime and prosecute its perpetrators, regardless of their position or official status. Nevertheless, Albanese’s remarks indicate that the real issue lies in the global political will’s failure to activate these laws and protect the Palestinian people.
