UN Expert Francesca Albanese Faces Event Cancellations and Police Oversight in Berlin

The UN's Special Rapporteur on Palestinian Territories criticizes restrictions on academic discourse and freedom of speech in Germany.

Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for Palestinian Territories, faced multiple event cancellations in Berlin due to political and security concerns.
The Free University of Berlin canceled her planned in-person lecture, citing safety risks, and replaced it with an online livestream.
Alternative venues, including the Kühlhaus Berlin, also withdrew their support, allegedly due to political pressure and threats, forcing last-minute relocations.
Police presence at Albanese's events sparked criticism, with officers monitoring discussions for potentially unlawful statements, raising concerns about academic and speech freedoms.
Albanese and supporters condemned the cancellations and interventions as indicative of a restrictive atmosphere for critical discourse in Germany.