Switzerland updates ISIL and Al-Qaida sanctions list
Swiss sanctions-screening teams must update ISIL and Al-Qaida controls after SECO's SESAM change
Change
SECO updated Switzerland's SESAM sanctions database after the UN sanctions committee changed the ISIL and Al-Qaida sanctions list on May 21, 2026.
Why it matters
The UN list change is directly applicable in Switzerland, so Swiss sanctions controls must reflect the SESAM update without waiting for a separate domestic implementation step. Swiss financial institutions and other regulated firms must update screening data for sanctioned persons, companies and organisations connected to ISIL, Da'esh and Al-Qaida.
Implications
- — Swiss sanctions-screening teams must update customer, counterparty and transaction-screening filters with the amended SECO SESAM entries for ISIL, Da'esh and Al-Qaida.
- — Swiss financial institutions must treat the UN sanctions committee change as directly applicable in Switzerland and apply the SECO SESAM update in screening and escalation workflows.
- — Compliance teams handling Swiss sanctions obligations must preserve evidence that screening data was updated after SECO's May 22, 2026 SESAM publication.
Who is affected
- — Swiss sanctions-screening teams at financial institutions
- — Compliance teams handling Swiss sanctions obligations
- — Swiss-regulated firms screening counterparties for ISIL, Da'esh and Al-Qaida exposure
What to watch
- — UN sanctions committee decision date: May 21, 2026
- — SECO SESAM update date: May 22, 2026
- — Ordinance: SR 946.231.08