Francesca Albanese has won the 2025 Dries van Agt Award. Her sharp analyses and unwavering moral compass make her a powerful voice for Palestinian rights. Despite smear campaigns, she refuses to be silenced—her courage is an inspiration to many.
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, received the 2025 Dries van Agt Award on February 12, presented by The Rights Forum. Her incisive analyses and steadfast principles make her one of the most influential voices advocating for Palestinian rights. While others hide behind terms like “complexity,” she speaks plainly: Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Her conclusion is not an opinion but is grounded in international law and carefully gathered evidence.
Albanese was among the first within the UN to state that there are “reasonable grounds to believe” that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. This clear, fact-based statement has had consequences. Criticism of Israel is often met with accusations of antisemitism—a strategy aimed at discrediting critical voices without addressing their arguments.
Albanese is one of many who have faced such attacks, but she remains undeterred. Her resilience stems from her belief that international law only holds value if it applies to everyone.
Berber van der Woude, chair of The Rights Forum, stated:
This woman is a force of nature. Her courage is contagious. She fearlessly exposes the severity of Israel’s violations but also the West’s double standards.
It is precisely this principled stance that makes her, according to The Rights Forum, a deserving recipient of the Dries van Agt Award.
The Rights Forum grants the Dries van Agt Award to individuals and organizations that are committed to human rights and international law in Palestine. Last year, the award went to the Dutch organization Plant een Olijfboom (“Plant an Olive Tree”) for their vital role in raising awareness in the Netherlands about the Palestinian struggle. Under the dedicated leadership of Esther van de Most, the organization enables people to plant olive trees on Palestinian land, helping to protect it from theft by Israeli settlers.
This year, the award ceremony took place during the inaugural Dries van Agt Lecture, delivered by Albanese at The Hague’s Nieuwe Kerk. The event saw an overwhelming response—tickets sold out within minutes.
The fact that a UN rapporteur can mobilize so many people speaks volumes about the impact of her work. Francesca Albanese represents a form of activism that does not waver, does not remain silent, and does not bow to pressure. In a world where justice is often a matter of negotiation, she constantly reminds us of what is truly at stake.