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News Section The emblems of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement now has three emblems in use following the decision of the diplomatic conference held in Switzerland in December 2005 to create the red crystal emblem, alongside the red cross and red crescent. The red cross and red crescent emblems are universally recognized symbols of assistance for the victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters. In use since the nineteenth century, these emblems unfortunately do not always enjoy the respect to which they are entitled as visible signs of the strict neutrality of humanitarian work. Moreover, certain States find it difficult to identify with one or the other. In June 2006 the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent amended the Movement's statutes to incorporate the new emblem and formally adopted the name red crystal (see downloadable graphic). The change in the Statutes allowed the ICRC to recognize and the International Federation to admit as a member the Magen David Adom in Israel. The same conference requested the ICRC to recognize and the Federation to admit the Palestine Red Crescent Society. As a result, both societies joined simultaneously. International humanitarian law specifies the use, size, purpose and placing of the emblems, what respect for the emblems entails and the penalties for misuse. These provisions are also analysed in numerous ICRC publications. The national implementation of international treaties falls to States, which are therefore responsible for ensuring respect for the emblems.  Key document12-1-2007 Red crystal: the "emblem Protocol" comes into forceOn 14 January 2007, the Third Additional Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions enters into force, six months after the two first countries ratified it. This completes the process of establishing an additional emblem for use by Governments and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Key facts about the Protocol. (Humanitarian law\Emblem) Includes Photo 12-6-2006 About the adoption of an additional emblem: questions and answersThese informal notes, recently updated, offer brief answers to frequently asked questions about the reasons behind the need for another protective emblem. (Focus\Emblem) 8-12-2005 Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the adoption of an additional distinctive emblem (Protocol III)The States party to the Geneva Conventions adopted a protocol additional to the Conventions at a diplomatic conference in December 2005. The Protocol establishes a new emblem, commonly referred to as the red crystal, alongside the red cross and red crescent. (Humanitarian law\Emblem) 31-12-2001 The EmblemCouncil of Delegates, 11-14 November 2001, Statement by Christina Magnuson, co-chair, Joint Working Group on the Emblem (Info resources\International Review\2001 - No. 844) International Review of the Red Cross Timeline of negotiations23-12-2005 Selected pages on the negotiations leading to the adoption of the red crystal(Focus\Emblem) ICRC Publication16-7-2007 Three emblems, one Movement, serving humanityPart of a two poster set, this poster is designed to increase awareness among the Movement's staff and volunteers at all levels of the role and importance of the emblems. It also recalls the importance of the fundamental principles of unity and universality in the work carried out by the different components of the Movement. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\RC Movement) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 16-7-2007 Emblems of humanityThis is a comprehensive brochure providing detailed information on the origin of all the emblems, its protective use in wartime and its indicative use in peacetime. An updated version of a previous brochure entitled The Emblem. It specifies the institutions entitled to use it and gives examples of misuse or lack of respect for the emblem. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\RC Movement) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 11-7-2007 Red Cross, Red Crescent, Red CrystalSince they were adopted, the red cross and red crescent emblems have provided protection to millions of war victims but they have also given rise to repeated difficulties and virtually continuous debate. The aim of this article is to recount the history of the emblem issue and to outline the strategy and steps followed in solving a problem that had remained pending for far too long. The article takes account of the developments up to 15 January 2007. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\RC Movement) ICRC Publication Includes PDF International Review of the Red Cross31-3-2006 Adoption of an Additional Distinctive EmblemFinal Act of the Diplomatic Conference on the adoption of the Third Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem. (Info resources\International Review\2006 - No. 861) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF Interview22-6-2006 Red crystal emblem: "The Movement has reaffirmed its humanitarian purpose"ICRC chief spokesperson Antonella Notari comments on the outcome of the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross & Red Crescent. (Focus\RC Movement\International Conference\29th Conference) Interview Official Statement27-2-2006 Address by ICRC president to the general assembly of the Organization of Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross SocietiesAddress by the ICRC's President, Jakob Kellenberger, to the 34th General Assembly of the Organization of Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies, Abu Dhabi (UAE), 27-28.2.06 (Focus\RC Movement\Strategies and actions) Official Statement 7-12-2005 Diplomatic Conference on the adoption of a Third Protocol Additional to the Geneva ConventionsStatement by the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Dr. Jakob Kellenberger, on December 7, 2005 (Focus\Emblem) Official Statement 5-12-2005 Diplomatic Conference on the adoption of a Third Protocol Additional to the Geneva ConventionsOpening remarks by the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Dr. Jakob Kellenberger, December 5, 2005 (Focus\Emblem) Official Statement Photo Collection30-6-2006 The emblems: in the service of conflict and disaster victims for over 140 yearsThe red cross and red crescent emblems are visible symbols of the protection afforded to war victims under the Geneva Conventions. They also stand for the neutrality of those who use them and indicate membership in the Movement. To resolve certain problems, an additional emblem known as the red crystal, has been adopted by a diplomatic conference in December 2005 in Geneva. (Info resources\Photos) Photo Collection Includes Photo Press article18-12-2006 A landmark for the Movement: The red Crystal conference It wasn’t visible anywhere in the huge auditorium, but the 1,576 delegates attending the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent on 20–21 June 2006 knew they were in Geneva to recognize the existence of a new emblem, the red crystal – Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 3, 2006 (Focus\Emblem) Press article 31-3-2006 Enter the red crystalIn the early hours of Wednesday, 8 December 2005, representatives of states, meeting in a diplomatic conference, adopted a Third Additional Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. History will record it as the moment the red crystal was born - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 1, 2006 (Focus\Emblem) Press article Press briefing8-12-2005 An additional emblem – the red crystal alongside the red cross and red crescentAt a joint press briefing in Geneva, the ICRC and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have expressed their satisfaction at today's decision of the Diplomatic Conference held in Geneva to adopt a third protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions, creating another emblem alongside the red cross and red crescent.
(Focus\Emblem) Press briefing Includes Photo More in this section15-7-2008 Model law on the emblemsNational legislation on the use and protection of the emblem of the Red Cross,
Red Crescent and Red Crystal (Humanitarian law\National implementation\Publications\Model laws) Includes PDF 23-6-2006 29th International Conference of the Red Cross & Red Crescent: resolution and results of the voteInformation on continued steps by the Conference to find agreement in the night of 21-22 June on draft Resolution 1, and the vote taken to adopt it. (Focus\RC Movement\International Conference\29th Conference) 22-6-2006 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent - Resolution 129th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, 20 to 21 June 2006 (Focus\RC Movement\International Conference\29th Conference) 14-3-2006 The history of the emblemsThe red cross and the red crescent have been at the service of humanity for more than a century - affording protection to those affected by conflict and to those assisting them. In December 2005, an additional emblem - the red crystal - was created alongside the red cross and the red crescent. The following document explains the history of the emblems. (Focus\Emblem)  |
