The Russian hockey federation does not intend to support a European Parliament initiative to deprive Belarus of the 2014 world championships over human rights concerns, a top official told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
The parliament passed a resolution earlier Thursday calling on the International Ice Hockey Federation to repeal Belarus’ hosting rights for the tournament “until the regime shows commitment to human rights and the rule of law.”
The European Union last week extended sanctions on President Alexander Lukashenko’s government in response to its execution of two people convicted of bombing a subway station of the capital city, Minsk, that killed 15 people and wounded 300 others. Both were convicted in November on evidence their defense lawyers described as inconclusive.
“I have no doubt that the Russian Hockey Federation will not take any steps that would hinder the holding of the 2014 world championships in Belarus,” the federation’s executive director Valery Fesyuk said.
“The IIHF is one family. We are involved in sport. And sport, as everyone knows, is outside politics. If a misunderstanding occurs with one of the members of our family, then we will take a stand to defend him.”
The IIHF reacted to the European Parliament resolution with caution Thursday, underlining its “political neutrality” but inviting further discussion among its 70 members at its next congress in Helsinki in May.
Russia has been a political ally of Belarus, labeled by the United States as Europe’s last dictatorship, since the Soviet breakup in 1992.
It is the only European nation that still uses capital punishment.
The championships would be the first major sporting event held there.
Lukashenko, a keen hockey fan, reportedly said earlier this month that his country had “earned the championship” and “suffered” for it.
