UN expert on Palestinian affairs says US sanctions are a 'violation' of immunity

The UN's expert on Palestinian affairs, Francesca Albanese, said on Tuesday that Washington's sanctions following her criticism of the White House's stance on Gaza are a "violation" of her immunity.

The United Nations' special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories made the comments while visiting Bogota, nearly a week after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions, calling her work "biased and malicious".

"It's a very serious measure. It's unprecedented. And I take it very seriously," Albanese told an audience in the Colombian capital. 

"It's clear violation of the UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities that protect UN officials, including independent experts, from words and actions taken in the exercise of their functions," Albanese said.