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Switzerland splits sanctions list on ISIL, Al-Qaida and the Taliban

Swiss Government

Bern, 21.03.2025 -- On 21 March, the Federal Council divided the Ordinance on Measures against Persons and Organisations with Links to Usama bin Laden, Al-Qaida or the Taliban into two separate ordinances. This decision reflects several UN Security Council resolutions. The ordinances will come into force on 15 May.

In 1999, the UN Security Council decided to impose sanctions against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in response to the threat these groups posed to international peace and security. Switzerland implemented these measures under the Ordinance on Measures against Persons and Organisations with Links to Usama bin Laden, Al-Qaida or the Taliban.

In 2011, the UN Security Council split its sanctions regime into two separate listings: one for Taliban-affiliated individuals and entities, the other for individuals and entities associated with Al-Qaeda and, since 2015, ISIL (Da'esh). However, as the sanctions measures remained the same, Switzerland had no need to take action and therefore continued to implement the two UN sanctions regimes under the same ordinance.

Over recent years, the UN Security Council has introduced further modifications to the two sanctions regimes, notably in relation to humanitarian exemptions. Reflecting these developments, Switzerland has now also split its ordinance in two: a new ordinance specifically on Taliban-affiliated individuals and entities has been created, while the existing ordinance has been amended and renamed the Ordinance on Measures against Persons and Organisations with Links to ISIL and Al-Qaida. The annexes listing sanctioned individuals and entities have been divided accordingly. These changes do not affect existing restrictions or humanitarian exemptions.