IPC Lifts Russia, Belarus Partial Suspensions

BEIJING, Sept 27 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly voted on Saturday to reinstate the full membership rights of the National Paralympic Committees of Belarus and Russia, reported Xinhua.

The decision at the 2025 IPC General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, restores NPC Belarus and NPC Russia to full IPC membership rights and privileges, after both were partially suspended at the 2023 assembly for violating constitutional membership obligations.

The IPC General Assembly, comprising National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, and International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled, first rejected a motion to fully suspend NPC Russia, with 111 votes against, 55 in favour, and 11 abstentions. A subsequent motion to partially suspend NPC Russia was also voted down, with 91 against, 77 in favour, and eight abstentions.

For NPC Belarus, the assembly rejected both motions; for a full suspension by a vote of 119 to 48 with 9 abstentions, and a partial suspension by 103 to 63 with 10 abstentions.

For a motion to pass, it required a simple majority of 50 per cent plus one of the votes cast.

The IPC stated it will coordinate with the two members to implement the practical arrangements for their reinstatement as soon as feasible. 

--BERNAMA-XINHUA