U.S. Attack on EU Digital Advocates Must Be Met with Sanctions
Forbidden Colours strongly condemns the decision by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to impose visa bans on European civil society leaders and former European Commissioner Thierry Bretton, who helped shape Europe’s approach to digital safety and accountability. The measure, framed by Washington as a defence of “American viewpoints,” is in fact a politically motivated attack on European democratic regulation and those who work to protect citizens from online hate and disinformation.
“This is not a free speech debate,” said Rémy Bonny, Executive Director of Forbidden Colours. “This is the United States government punishing Europeans for protecting people from targeted hate, harassment, and propaganda. Using visa policy to intimidate civil society is something we expect from authoritarian regimes, not from a supposed democratic ally.”
An Attack on Democratic Regulation and Civil Society
Those targeted by the U.S. administration have played important roles in defending public interest regulation in the digital sphere, including the Digital Services Act, which was democratically adopted and is supported across the European Union. These policies are designed to ensure that hate speech, incitement, and dangerous disinformation are not left unchallenged online.
“Europe has every right and, frankly, every responsibility to regulate digital spaces in a way that protects human dignity,” Bonny said. “To sanction leaders for doing this work is an attack on European sovereignty and an attempt to delegitimise evidence-based, democratic policymaking.”
A Direct Threat to LGBTIQ+ People in Europe
For LGBTIQ+ people in the EU, this move has real and dangerous consequences. Queer and trans communities are disproportionately targeted by coordinated hate campaigns, harassment, and disinformation online. European regulatory frameworks have been crucial in reducing harmful content and holding platforms and hate actors accountable.
“What the U.S. government has done today sends a terrifying message to LGBTIQ+ people,” Bonny stated. “It says that protecting queer and trans communities from hate is something that should be punished, not supported. It tells anti-LGBTIQ+ activists around the world that they are politically protected, while the people trying to keep us safe are sanctioned. That is unacceptable.”
He continued: “If you weaken the people fighting hate, you empower the people spreading it. That is exactly what this policy does.”
Europe Must Respond And It Must Be Firm
Forbidden Colours calls on the European Union and its Member States to respond decisively. This cannot be treated as a diplomatic irritation; it is a direct attack on European human rights standards and those defending vulnerable communities.
“The EU must make it clear that human rights defenders will not be intimidated,” Bonny said. “And if the U.S. wants to normalise the use of visa bans against European civil society, then Europe must be ready to consider similar measures against U.S. individuals who actively export hate into our democracies.”
He added: “Figures like Brian S. Brown, Sharon Slater, Kristen Waggoner, and others have spent years spreading anti-LGBTIQ+ ideology across Europe, fuelling hostility and undermining our equality standards. If Washington can sanction human rights defenders, then Brussels has every right to deny entry to those who mobilise discrimination and harm.”
Protecting the Future of the Transatlantic Relationship
The U.S.–EU partnership has always been described as one built on shared democratic values. Today’s decision threatens that foundation by replacing cooperation with intimidation.
“A healthy transatlantic relationship cannot be built on threats against civil society,” said Bonny. “It must be grounded in a shared commitment to dignity, equality, and truth. Europe must stand firm, speak clearly, and defend the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, online and offline, without hesitation.”
