A cross-regional group of countries have sent a letter in support of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) President Volker Turk.

Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Iceland, Namibia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Venezuela, along with members of the OIC, wrote the letter to Turk.

The states reiterated their support for the mandate of the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and called on the UN to protect the independence of the Special Procedures.

The letter echoed the UNHCR president in expressing regret over the decision to impose unilateral sanctions against Albanese.

It reaffirmed that such unwarranted and unjust attacks seek to undermine the legitimacy and credibility of the UN Special Procedures mandate holders, particularly those exposing grave violations of international law.