Mr Hickey has been forced to stay in Brazil since he was arrested on August 17, during the Rio Olympics, on charges allegedly related to ticket touting.
While freed from prison, he is not allowed to leave the South American country.
He has denied any wrongdoing, but has temporarily stepped down from all his Olympic positions pending a resolution of court proceedings. He was also president of the European Olympics Committee and is a member of the International Olympic Committee’s executive board.
At the 45th European Olympics Committee general assembly, acting head of the European Olympic Committees, Janez Kocijancic, said Mr Hickey should be allowed to leave Brazil and return to Ireland for health reasons.
He told delegates: “We have studied the allegations against Patrick Hickey and from what we know he is not guilty of any criminal offence, he should enjoy the privilege — which is also part of basic human rights — that he should be able to prove his innocence.”
He said Mr Hickey’s health is deteriorating, that he has heart problems, and doctors suggest that he should be treated in Ireland.
The Olympic Council of Ireland tweeted yesterday morning under its Team Ireland title:
Strong support for Pat Hickey @EOCmedia General Assembly from @ANOC_Olympic @EOCEuroGames pic.twitter.com/ulTz2WheQS
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) October 21, 2016
It attached a picture taken at the EOC’s 45th general assembly in Belarus which bore a picture of Mr Hickey with the words: “Our warmest wish is that he can return to his family and his Olympic duties as soon as possible”.
The Belarus president, Alexander Lukashenko, who is also head of his country’s Olympic Committee, was quoted at the assembly as saying: “Unfortunately we do not have our EOC president Patrick Hickey with us here today. It is very important for him to feel our support and solidarity. There is no proof of any of these horrible accusations.”
Last month, after being charged by a judge with facilitating ticket touting, formation of a cartel and ambush or illicit marketing, Mr Hickey issued a statement in which he said he intended “to face all the charges and to fight each and every one of them”.
“I am completely innocent of all such charges and I will also vigorously defend my good name and character,” he said.