Belarusian Red Cross expelled from the International Federation of the Red Cross

The International Red Cross has suspended the membership of the Belarusian Red Cross from 1 December due to the head who illegally exported Ukrainian children to Belarus and visited the occupied regions of Ukraine. This is stated in a statement by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The suspension is the result of the Belarusian Red Cross' failure to comply with the request to remove Mr Dmitriy Shevtsov, Secretary General of the National Society," the statement reads.

This follows the IFRC Board's decision of 3 October 2023 to investigate allegations against the secretary general of the Belarusian Red Cross arising from his statements, including on nuclear weapons and the relocation of children to Belarus, as well as his visit to occupied Luhansk and Donetsk.

The suspension means that the Belarusian Red Cross loses its rights as a member of the IFRC. Any new funding to the Belarusian Red Cross will also be suspended. In addition, the Belarusian Red Cross will not be able to participate in the IFRC General Assembly or vote or be elected at any statutory meetings of the IFRC," the organisation said.

The Belarusian Red Cross may be reinstated when the national Belarusian Society implements the Board's decision in accordance with the recommendations of the Compliance and Mediation Committee.

The IFRC remains firmly committed to responding to humanitarian needs in Belarus. In the event of a disaster or major emergency, the humanitarian imperative will prevail," the statement reads.

The IFRC will therefore assess the situation with the authorities and other stakeholders to determine the best approach to provide vulnerable populations with humanitarian assistance.