Switzerland: An additional emblem alongside the red cross and red crescent

An additional emblem would provide a comprehensive and lasting solution to the emblem question. The ICRC and the International Federation urge all governments to support the ongoing process of consultation.

The diplomatic conference would convene the governments of the 192 States that are party to the Geneva Conventions to consider the adoption of a third additional protocol to the Conventions, creating an additional protective emblem. The new sign is " a red frame in the shape of a square on edge on a white ground " and would enjoy equal status in all respects with the red cross and red crescent. It would be known as the red crystal.

The additional emblem would be free of any perception of religious, political or other connotation. It would enable National Societies that have not been able to use the existing emblems to become full members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, enabling the Movement to fulfil its fundamental principle of universality.

The ICRC and the International Federation will continue to use their existing emblems. But in exceptional circumstances, they, and national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, will be able to use the additional emblem to facilitate their work.

The ICRC and the Federation are profoundly grateful to the Swiss government for its efforts to bring the emblem question to a conclusion.

 For more information, please contact:  

 Ian Piper, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva  

 Tel: +41 22 730 2063 or +41 79 217 3216 (mobile)  

 Marie-Françoise Borel, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva  

 Tel: +41 22 730 4346  

 Note to print and AV media: the design of the proposed additional emblem can be found on the above websites