Pedro Sanchez has awarded one of the country’s highest civilian distinctions to Francesca Albanese in recognition of her efforts to document alleged violations of international law in the Gaza Strip.
During a meeting in Madrid on Thursday, Sanchez and Albanese discussed the ongoing crisis in Palestine, emphasizing the urgency of ending hostilities and pursuing a durable peace grounded in human rights and human dignity, according to an official government statement.
In a message shared on social media, the Spanish leader said public office carries a moral responsibility not to ignore suffering. He described Albanese as a figure who “upholds the conscience of the world” through her advocacy and reporting.
The Order of Civil Merit is among Spain’s most prestigious honors and is granted to individuals, both domestic and international, for exceptional contributions benefiting society or the state.
Albanese, an Italian legal expert, has served as the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories since 2022. Over the past two years, she has emerged as one of the most outspoken international critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Earlier this week, Sanchez urged the European Commission to activate the EU Blocking Statute in response to US sanctions imposed on Albanese, along with judges and prosecutors linked to the International Criminal Court.
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