Nepal Red Cross requests members affiliated with political parties to step down

Kathmandu: The Nepal Red Cross Society (NERCSO) has requested that office bearers and members of committees, commissions and sub-committees at any level who are holding positions in bodies of political parties or its sister organizations disassociate themselves from their involvement in the Red Cross.

To ensure that volunteers and employees act and behave in accordance with the principles, values and norms of the Red Cross, NERCSO has reminded the public of the provisions of Section 72 Sub-section 3 of the Statute of the Nepal Red Cross Society 2020 (including the eighteenth amendment 2082). According to the said provision, persons who are actively involved in politics and are in various bodies of political parties or sister organizations, and who are office bearers or members of the governance structures of all levels from political parties, are not allowed to remain office bearers or members of committees, commissions and sub-committees at any level of the Nepal Red Cross Society.

The request issued by the society states that if they are found to be in a dual role in violation of the provisions of the statute, action will be taken as per the existing statute.

The request further states, ‘If there is information that any committee officer or member of the Nepal Red Cross at any level is in various bodies of any political party (including fraternal organizations), we request all concerned to inform us with the facts at the email [email protected].’

NERESO is the largest humanitarian organization in the country that works in a neutral and impartial manner based on the seven principles, values and norms of the Red Cross as an integral part of the World Red Cross Movement. However, the Nepal Red Cross Society has been criticized from time to time by stakeholders for the problem becoming complicated due to the influence and involvement of political parties in it. The request also mentions that there is a possibility of banning it from the statutory body of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.