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Officials’ meeting with UN Special Rapporteur: Francesca Albanese
Haurongo – Biography
Francesca Albanese is Special Rapporteur on the situation of human
rights in the Palestinian Territories occupied since 1967. Albanese
was appointed to the position in May 2022.
Albanese is an Affiliate Scholar at the Institute for the Study of
International Migration at Georgetown University, as well as a Senior
Advisor on Migration and Forced Displacement for a think-tank, Arab
Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD). Albanese has
also worked as a human rights expert for the United Nations, including
the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN
Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees (in Jerusalem).
Whāinga – Objectives
•
Further understand the Special Rapporteur’s views of the Israel/Gaza conflict.
•
Highlight the caretaker government context in New Zealand and the constraints this places
on New Zealand’s policy decisions.
•
Profile New Zealand’s humanitarian support for those affected by the current conflict.
Pito korero – Talking points
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Papamuri – Background
1.
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied
Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, is visiting New Zealand on 19 - 21 November,
following a similar visit to Australia.
2.
The Special Rapporteur is an independent expert appointed by the United Nations Human
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Rights Council to assess and report on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory.
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3.
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4.
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5.
Albanese’s visit is being conducted in an ‘informal’ capacity (i.e. not at the formal invitation
of the New Zealand Government). Several civil society groups, including the PACC (Palestinians
in Aotearoa Co-ordinating Committee) and PSNA (Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa) have
assisted with arranging her visit. s6(a)
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6.
Albanese is also likely to meet with media, civil society organisations and Members of
the
Parliament during her trip. We understand Albanese’s programme also includes a meeting with
New Zealand’s Human Rights Commission.
7.
In Australia, Albanese undertook meetings with MPs, a television interview and delivered
a public lecture. s6(a)
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8.
During her visit to Australia, Albanese:
• Criticised the international community for being almost completely paralysed.
• Suggested that in response to the 7 October attacks, Israel should have requested the UN
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send in its own force to demilitarise Gaza.
• Stated her view that Israel does not have the right to wage war in self-defence under
international law. Israel cannot claim the right of self-defence against a threat that
emanates from the territory it occupies.
• Put significant focus on the conditions and historical context of Israel’s occupation of the
occupied Palestinian territories, as part of the wider context for the current cycle of
violence.
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• Offered criticism of Australia’s positions s6(a)
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Israel/Gaza Taskforce
November 2023
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Annex one: ‘if raised’ talking points
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