Flemish universities to honour UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese
Three leading Belgian universities will jointly award an honorary doctorate to Francesca Albanese on Thursday, in recognition of her work in international human rights law.
The ceremony, organised by University of Antwerp, Ghent University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, will take place at the Queen Elisabeth Hall in Antwerp and will be streamed live.
Albanese, an Italian human rights lawyer, has served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation in the Palestinian territories since 2022. She was reappointed to a second term in 2025 and is the first woman to hold the post.
She is widely known for her legal analyses on issues such as self-determination, detention, children’s rights and genocide. Her work has gained international attention, though it has also attracted political criticism.
The universities said the award reflects their commitment to academic freedom, human rights and international solidarity. They praised Albanese’s persistence in defending international law despite pressure and intimidation.
However, the decision has sparked a public and academic backlash. In a newspaper opinion piece, two Belgian Jewish commentators previously urged the universities to withdraw the honour, arguing that some of Albanese’s past statements risk undermining institutional credibility and conflict with efforts to combat antisemitism.
Criticism has also emerged within academia. Some professors have distanced themselves from the decision, describing it as “unwise” or “institutional activism”. One academic has reportedly resigned from a teaching role in protest.
Opponents argue that certain remarks by Albanese go beyond legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and raise concerns about bias. Supporters of the decision, however, say such accusations are based on selective quotations and misrepresentation.
The universities have stood by their choice and stated it followed extensive consultation with human rights experts. They insist the honour is not directed against any community, but reflects support for international law and open debate.
#FlandersNewsService | © Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP