[Chapter-delegates] Guardian Article on Debanking Services

[Bernie Hoeneisen]

While this article focuses on cases with Muslim background, I'd like to 
emphasize that De-Banking has been increasingly used as a weapon to 
silence "uncomfortable" opinions in general (i.e. not only against 
Muslims). Unfortunately, De-Banking  (and other financial sanctions) are 
often misused as a "powerful signal" with the goal to remind others to 
rather "apply self-censorship" (in order to avoid simiilar sanctions). I 
observed an increased (mis-)use in the beginning of this decade.

Recently, the European Union has even imposed new sanctions on 12 
individuals and two entities over e.g. alleged pro-Russian propaganda [1]. 
The measures include an EU-wide travel ban and an *asset freeze*, and 
*prohibit EU citizens and companies from providing them with funds or 
economic resources* [2].

This decisions have been taken by political body, i.e. not by a court. 
This means those affected have limited means to appeal (in particular in 
case the allegations are wrong and/or politically motivated).


De-Banking (and other financial sanctions) is an increasing threat to 
human rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of information!


cheers
  Bernie


Sources:

[1] https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/former-swiss-intelligence-officer-targeted-by-new-eu-sanctions-on-russia/90665703

[2] https://dailytelegraph.co.nz/world/eu-sanctions-swiss-colonel-for-russian-propaganda-despite-reliance-on-ukrainian-and-western-sources/





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http://ucom.ch/
Modern Telephony Solutions and Tech Consulting for Internet Technology


On Wed, 28 Jan 2026, Glenn McKnight via Chapter-delegates wrote:

> https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/27/muslims-being-debanked-banking-services-9-11-september
> 
> This is an interesting article demonstrating how banks are limiting international banking services to Muslims,  this is something that may impact some of the ISOC chapters
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Glenn McKnight, MA 
> Virtual School of Internet Governance 
> Chief Information Officerwww.virtualsig.org 
> YOUR SOURCE FOR INTERNET GOVERNANCE EDUCATION 
> Mobile  437-237-4655
> 
> 
>