Red Cross suspends Belarus' membership due to involvement in the deportation of Ukrainian children

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has suspended the membership of the Belarusian Red Cross.

This was reported by the press service of the Society.

The membership was suspended because of Dimitry Shevtsov, who holds the position of Secretary General of the National Society.

In July 2023, Shevtsov said that the Red Cross of Belarus "participated, is participating and will participate" in the removal of Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories.

In October, the Board of the International Federation conducted an investigation into Shevtsov's statements and actions and demanded that he be dismissed from his position as Secretary General. 

Until the Belarusian Red Cross complies with the demand, its funding will be suspended.

"In addition, the Belarusian Red Cross will not be able to participate in the IFRC General Assembly, nor will it be able to vote or be elected at any statutory meetings," the statement also reads.

It will be recalled that at least 2,442 Ukrainian children have been deported to Belarus since the full-scale war began.

Among others, the deportations involved a member of the Belarusian national Paralympic team, Alexei Talay, and his foundation, Olga Volkova and her organisation Dolphins, and the Belaruskali enterprise.