Belarusian Red Cross lies about discontinuing its participation in election commissions

Buro Media received an official response from the Belarus Red Cross Society stating that, following the implementation of new BRC regulations in November 2020, the organisation will not participate in any electoral processes at any level. In fact, the wording of the law, which has been in effect since 2011, does not impose any limitations on the BRC's involvement in elections.

However, the revised regulation includes a new article that obligates the BRC to comply with both Belarusian laws and the statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other documents adopted within the Movement.

The BRC has committed to not participating in electoral processes since the new law came into force. This decision aligns with the international movement's founding principles of neutrality and independence.

On February 25, Belarus will hold a single voting day for parliamentary and municipal candidates. The Buro Media team found that at least three constituencies have BRC officials among the election commission members, specifically:

Babruisk-Pershamaiski Election District No. 79

Bykhau Election District No. 81

Krychau Election District No. 83

All three representatives are from the Mahilou Section of BRC. Their names are unknown, as the composition of the commissions is classified after the 2020 elections.

Once again, the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement have been violated by the BRC. Ironically, they are the makers and the breakers of the new law.