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The emblems: in the service of conflict and disaster victims for over 140 years

30-06-2006 Photo gallery

The 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.

  • Photo, A test flag bearing the emblem of the red crystal flutters in the wind.
    • A test flag bearing the emblem of the red crystal flutters in the wind.
      © ICRC / Thierry Gasmann / v-p-emb-e-00021h

    Over 190 States have adopted the red cross or the red crescent but, unfortunately, these emblems can be perceived as having religious or political significance in certain contexts. Lengthy discussions within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement led to the development of an additional emblem, known as the red crystal.

    A diplomatic conference, held in Geneva from 5 to 7 December 2005, adopted Protocol III additional to the Geneva Conventions, thereby recognizing the additional emblem. From now on, the medical services of armies and all National Societies may use the red crystal on its own for protective purposes. If they so wish, National Societies may incorporate within the red crystal, for indicative use only, a cross or a crescent, the two side by side, or any other sign that is in use and has been communicated to the depositary State of the Geneva Conventions (Switzerland) and the ICRC, for instance the red shield of David.

    In addition, the medical services of armies and National Societies may make temporary use of the red crystal alone, if they believe this will enhance their protection. Studies have shown that the red crystal has no religious, political or ethnic connotations, which should guarantee respect for those who adopt it.

  • Photo, A volunteer from the Sudanese Red Crescent taking part in activities organized by the National Society on 8 May to celebrate International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.
    • A volunteer from the Sudanese Red Crescent taking part in activities organized by the National Society on 8 May to celebrate International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.
      © ICRC / International Federation

    The red crescent emblem was adopted by the Ottoman Empire in 1876, during the war with Russia, because the authorities believed that the red cross was, by its very nature, offensive to Muslim soldiers. The red crescent was recognized by the 1929 Geneva Convention along with the Persian red lion and sun, which was abandoned in 1980 by the Iranian government in favour of the red crescent. National Societies must use the same emblem as that used by their country's armed forces medical services.

  • Photo, A Peruvian Red Cross volunteer comforting a victim of a mudslide caused by El Niño.
    • A Peruvian Red Cross volunteer comforting a victim of a mudslide caused by El Niño.
      © International Federation / Christopher Black

    In use since the nineteenth century, the red cross and red crescent emblems are universal symbols of assistance for victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters. They serve two purposes: first, they identify aid personnel as they go about their daily tasks and, secondly, they protect them and members of the armed forces medical services during armed conflicts. The ultimate aim is to ensure that all victims receive assistance.

  • Photo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1996. An ICRC vehicle passing an armoured ambulance driven by members of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR)
    • Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1996. An ICRC vehicle passing an armoured ambulance driven by members of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR)
      © ICRC / Paul Grabhorn / yu-d-00045-14

    The emblems protect those assisting the wounded, medical vehicles and buildings used to shelter victims or dispense medical care. Only persons whose activities are strictly medical and who have permission from the national authorities to use the emblems are entitled to this protection. Under the Geneva Conventions, all the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are entitled to use the emblems while performing their humanitarian duties.

  • Photo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2001. National Red Cross first-aiders taking part in a training exercise for stretcher-bearers organized by the armed forces.
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2001. National Red Cross first-aiders taking part in a training exercise for stretcher-bearers organized by the armed forces.
      © ICRC / François de Sury / cd-e-00055

    In addition to creating a protective emblem, the founders of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement proposed that voluntary aid societies be set up in every country to train people in peacetime to assist the wounded in the event of war. Although the National Societies have since diversified their activities, their volunteers still work with the armed forces medical services during conflicts.

  • Photo, ICRC employees in Amman painting a large emblem on a tarpaulin intended to cover trucks bringing aid from Jordan to Iraq.

    In order to make full use of the protection afforded by the emblem in armed conflicts and ensure that the sign is fully visible, authorized users may display the largest possible size without any other indication. At night, the emblem may be lighted up or various technical means used to ensure that it is detectable. According to tests carried out, a pilot flying at 1,500 metres in clear weather should be able to see the shape and colour of a 3 by 3 metre emblem displayed on top of a building or on a protected vehicle.

  • Photo, A delegate from the International Federation providing psychological support for a woman who lost her home during the earthquake that devastated parts of Algeria in 2003.

    The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies uses as its logo the red cross and the red crescent emblems together. Having started out as the League of Red Cross Societies in 1919, the organization changed its name to International Federation in 1983. That was when it began to use the “double emblem.” The change of name was formally adopted in an amendment to the Federation's Constitution in 1991. Today, the Federation has more than 180 members that cooperate in a range of areas, including disaster preparedness and response.

  • Photo, Volunteers from the Comoros Red Crescent Society arriving at the headquarters of the regional Maheli committee to meet members of the ICRC and the International Federation.

    Representatives of the joint ICRC-Federation Commission went to the Comoros in May 2005 to determine whether the Society met the 10 conditions for admission to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. These include working on the entire national territory, remaining independent from the authorities, assisting all people without discrimination and using one of the official emblems. The ICRC recognized the Comoros Red Crescent in September 2005, making it the 182nd National Society to join the Movement.

  • Photo, US soldiers patrolling the streets of Baghdad near the ICRC delegation in 2003.

    The proliferation of military operations characterized as "humanitarian" has led to growing confusion among weapons-bearers and civilians concerning the true intentions of foreign armed forces and relief organization present on their soil. This confusion has been further heightened by the fact that armed forces sometimes run “humanitarian” programmes in order to gain the sympathy of the population. The ICRC refuses all armed guards and escorts and it makes ongoing efforts to explain the neutral and impartial nature of its activities. But the protective power of the emblems seems to be on the wane. The attack perpetrated against the ICRC delegation in Baghdad in November 2003 and subsequent deliberate attacks against its personnel have forced the organization to considerably cut back on its programmes in Iraq.

  • Photo, Young militiamen in Sierra Leone looking at a brochure that explains the role and nature of the emblems.

    In some places, the chain of command within the armed forces has become so weak that it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between regular forces and criminal gangs. Undisciplined, often without any knowledge of the neutral and impartial nature of the emblems, some combatants do not hesitate to confiscate or destroy supplies and equipment intended to assist conflict victims. They also deliberately kill or threaten Red Cross and Red Crescent personnel, either to scare off those who might witness atrocities or to deprive “enemy” civilians of assistance and protection. Increasingly hampered in its work, the ICRC has made considerable efforts to explain its mission to all weapons-bearers.

  • Photo, in this scene from a recent film made for US television, a military helicopter filled with soldiers and bearing a logo resembling that of the ICRC is landing in a refugee camp.

    A few minutes later, fighting breaks out between the soldiers and separatist forces, causing the death of many refugees. Displaying the emblem to protect combatants or military equipment engaging in hostile acts is a clear case of misuse. Even though this scene is fictional, it calls into question the ICRC’s neutrality and operational methods. In real life, perfidious use of the emblem, when causing death or serious personal injury, is considered a war crime.

  • Photo, misuse of the emblems, in particular for commercial purposes, is widespread.

    The companies that paid for this full-page advertisement, which appeared in a Mauritian newspaper, used the ICRC logo without permission in order to entice potential clients by appealing to their humanitarian sensibilities. While such misuse does not usually have serious or direct consequences, it can in the long run dilute the meaning of the emblem and reduce its ability to protect people in wartime.

  • Photo, Ambulance workers from the Israeli National Society, the Magen David Adom (MDA), evacuating the wounded after an attack in Jerusalem.

    The MDA is the only National Society to use an emblem – the red shield of David.

    Other than those provided for by the Geneva Conventions. In the past this prevented it from being officially recognized as a member of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The adoption of the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions (recognition of an additional emblem, the red crystal) offered an opportunity to remedy this situation. It provides for the possibility of inserting, at the centre of the additional emblem – when displayed for indicative purposes – a sign that is in use and has been duly notified to the ICRC and to Swizerland, the depository State of the Geneva Conventions.

    In June 2006, further to the adoption by the 29th International Conference of amendments to the Movement Statutes, the ICRC was able to recognize the the Magen David Adom. Thanks to the same resolution, the Palestine Red Crescent Society was also recognized by the ICRC.

  • Photo, n ICRC delegate making sure that no harm comes to civilians crossing the line between rebel-held and government-controlled territory in northern Sri Lanka, July 2004.

    Considered as a neutral and impartial intermediary, the ICRC often carries out complex humanitarian operations at the request of the parties to a conflict. These include assisting in the repatriation of prisoners of war or civilian internees, making representations to hostage-takers and monitoring neutral crossing points between front lines. The emblems, which stand for neutrality and impartiality, facilitate the ICRC’s activities on behalf of persons entitled to protection under the Geneva Conventions.


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