The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has dismissed five officials including the president of Nepal Red Cross Society.
IFRC has dismissed Red Cross President Sudarshan Prasad Nepal, General Minister Bhupati Lal Shrestha, Treasurer Vinod Kumar Basnet, Deputy General Minister Manoj Kumar Thapa and member Narayan Timilsina for allegedly acting against the international recognition of the Red Cross.
According to the IFRC, they have been banned from participating in the upcoming elections. In the last election of the Red Cross, which has been in dispute for a long time, these five office bearers signed an agreement to divide the shares between Nepali Congress, CPN Maoist Center and CPN United Socialist Party.
Based on the same evidence, the IFRC stated that these officials were dismissed from their positions, saying that the international norms such as the impartiality and independence of the Red Cross were violated. The IFRC said that it is also investigating other officials and they may also be prosecuted.
Although joining the volunteer campaign of the Red Cross in Nepal, few have followed the international recognition of the Red Cross that they cannot join a political party. Red Cross organizations throughout the country are dominated by party leaders and activists. In this case, this time, the IFRC has taken action against the central officials and alerted the Nepal Red Cross Society.
