"Despite links to Kremlin": Red Cross refuses to suspend membership of Russian branch

The Guardian reports this with reference to an investigation by international media.

It is noted that the investigation revealed numerous violations of the Red Cross charter by the Russian organization since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In addition, the heads of regional branches spoke about the need for war with "Ukrainian Nazis" and that Red Cross workers in uniform were often present at military exercises for children.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has the authority to suspend members who violate the principles of neutrality and independence of the Red Cross, and last year it happened to the Belarusian branch.

However, after a four-day meeting of IFRC representatives in Geneva, it was decided not to suspend the activities of the Russian Red Cross, but only to create a supervisory body and request "to resolve the identified problems and alleged violations" of the principles of integrity.