ICRC begins audit of the Russian Red Cross, reveals violations
Kyiv • UNN
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has conducted an audit and established a Board Oversight Group to assess allegations of violations against the Russian Red Cross, including its absence in the occupied regions of Ukraine, theft of Ukrainian Red Cross property in Crimea, and political statements by officials that contradict humanitarian principles.
The official website of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has published an article about the accusations against the Russian Red Cross. This was reported by Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, UNN reports.
Details
According to Lubinets, the International Federation of the Red Cross Society, after a series of allegations against the Russian Red Cross, conducted a credibility check and even created a Board Oversight Group to assess, identify and monitor and provide recommendations to the Russian Red Cross for corrective action. Moreover, the IFRC has already recommended training in the principles of international humanitarian law for staff and volunteers of local branches.
It is also noted that there is no Russian Chess Club in the occupied eastern part of Ukraine, and serious violations have been found in the activities of the Russian mission in Crimea.
The check found that the Russian Red Cross is not present in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. There is no mention of its presence in Crimea and the fact that it stole property from the Ukrainian Society. However, they did mention the Artek camp, where they promise to "seriously review everything.
Among other things, the inspection showed that some Russian Red Cross officials made political statements that did not comply with the ICRC principles.
As for Pavel Savchuk, who signed a cooperation agreement with the Artek children's camp, his affiliation with the All-Russian People's Front, which in December 2023 launched the collection of the necessary signatures for the official registration of the main terrorist and war criminal as a candidate for the presidential election, was reported to be no longer a member of the same People's Front.
It is noted that the Board's supervisory group will provide its findings within the next 4 months with regular updates to the Board.
In his turn, Lubinets noted at least three aspects that the International Ice Hockey Organization should take into account in the inspection.
In my opinion, the Panel should also provide conclusions on a number of other violations committed by the Russian Red Cross. In particular, regarding: * the collection by the Russian Red Cross of funds to support the families of mobilized and military personnel; * the theft of premises, vehicles, and office equipment from the Ukrainian Red Cross in Crimea; * support for the mobilization campaign for the war in Ukraine.
Lubinets also expressed hope that in 4 months the organization will have the strength and courage to respond decisively to the obvious violations of the Russian Red Cross.
