International Paralympic Committee suspends Belarus

November 17, BPN. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has voted 54 to 45 to suspend the membership of the Belarusian Paralympic Committee.

Belarus is unable to fulfill its obligations, the IPC noted that at an extraordinary meeting of its General Assembly in Berlin.

Belarus has the right to appeal the decision. If its appeal is rejected, sanctions can be lifted only at the next IPC General Assembly in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The IPC suspended Russia’s membership as well.

On February 24, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.

On February 28, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that athletes and officials from Belarus and Russia should be excluded from international competitions. This recommendation was implemented immediately and on a mass scale.