Belarusians expelled from Red Cross for deporting Ukrainian children
Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)
The Belarusian Red Cross has ceased to be a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This decision follows the deportation of Ukrainian children, according to the press service of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
"The suspension is the result of noncompliance by the Belarus Red Cross with the request for the dismissal of Mr. Dimitry Shevtsov, Secretary General of the National Society," emphasized by the Red Cross.
The demand for dismissal was made after Shevtsov made a series of scandalous statements about nuclear weapons, the deportation of children from Ukraine to Belarus, as well as trips to the temporarily occupied Donetsk and Luhansk.
According to the Red Cross, the dismissal means that the Belarusian Red Cross loses its rights as a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Additionally, any funding for the Belarusian Red Cross will be terminated.
The Belarusian Red Cross will not be able to participate in the General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, nor will it have voting rights or be eligible for any statutory meetings.
However, the Belarusian Red Cross may be reinstated after fulfilling the requirements set by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Background
Earlier, the head of the Belarusian branch of the Red Cross, Dmytro Shevtsov, boasted about the deportation of Ukrainian children to Belarus. Following this, the International Red Cross issued an ultimatum - either Shevtsov resigns by November 30, or the Belarusian branch's membership will be terminated.
