Aktualisierte Sanktionsmeldung: Haiti
AI Analysis
The Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (WBF) has published an update to Annex 2 of the Ordinance on Measures concerning Haiti (SR 946.231.139.4), dated December 16, 2022, aligning Switzerland's sanctions regime with recent UN Security Council decisions. This matters for Swiss financial institutions as it mandates immediate screening against potentially updated lists of designated persons and entities, reinforcing asset freezes, travel bans, and an expanded arms embargo to address Haiti's instability. Non-compliance risks FINMA enforcement actions under anti-money laundering and sanctions frameworks.
Key dates
- October 17/20, 2025
- UNSC Committee adds 2 entries to Sanctions List; Triggers immediate asset freeze checks; Swiss update (SR 946.231.139.4) published in response
- October 18, 2024
- UNSC Resolution 2752 adoption; Expands arms embargo scope, basis for national implementations
- Immediate/publication date (2025/07/09 per FINMA notice)
- Swiss Annex amendment effective; No grace period specified; aligns with "without delay" freezing requirements
- July 23, 2025
- UK Haiti Sanctions Amendment effective; Parallel indicator of timeline for UN-aligned changes
- October 21, 2025
- Swiss WBF/VTG announcement; Confirms amended sanctioned list
Suggested considerations
- Screen Immediately: Check client databases, accounts, and transactions against the updated SECO/UN Haiti Sanctions List for new designations; freeze assets/economic resources without prior notice.
- Cease Prohibited Activities: Halt dealings (direct/indirect) with designated parties, including financial services, brokering, technical assistance, or transfers related to military goods/technology.
- Report Findings: Notify SECO/FINMA of matches or frozen assets, providing additional compliance details; maintain records for audits.
- Update Policies/Systems: Revise sanctions screening tools, train staff, and monitor for "connected persons" under updated definitions.
- License Checks: Apply for exemptions only if explicitly available (e.g., humanitarian); no dealings without approval.
What changed
- - Annex Update: The amendment modifies the annex to the Haiti Ordinance, likely incorporating additions to the UN Sanctions List, such as new designated individuals or entities involved in destabilizing activities like illicit natural resource exploi
- Sanctions Renewal and Expansion: Reflects UNSC Resolution 2752 (2024, adopted October 18, 2024) and subsequent renewals (e.g., Resolution 2794 (2025)), renewing travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes for one year while broadening the arms emb
- Swiss Implementation: FINMA oversees enforcement via SECO's sanction ordinances; updates require alignment with UN lists for asset freezing and prohibitions on dealings with designated parties.
Compliance impact
Urgency: High – Immediate asset freeze obligations apply "without delay" upon list updates, with FINMA's enforcement type indicating potential fines or reputational damage for lapses; matters due to Haiti's volatility driving frequent UN changes, risking secondary sanctions exposure for Swiss firms with international ties.
Who is affected
Related regulations
References
- [1] legislation.gov.uk
- [2] gov.je third-party
- [3] legislationtracker.co.uk third-party
- [4] drs.customs.gov.hk third-party
- [5] fscmontserrat.org third-party
- [6] securitycouncilreport.org third-party
- [7] finma.ch
- [8] international.gc.ca third-party
- [9] vtg.admin.ch third-party
- [10] centralbankbahamas.com third-party
AI-generated analysis. May contain errors or omissions — verify with the original FINMA source before acting. Full disclaimer.
What the FINMA said
Das Eidgenössische Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF hat eine Änderung des Anhangs der Verordnung vom 16. Dezember 2022 über Massnahmen betreffend Haiti (SR 946.231.139.4) publiziert.
Published by FINMA . Read the full notice at the source for the authoritative text.