Additional emblem for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has welcomed the decision of the diplomatic conference held in Switzerland in December 2005 to adopt a third protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions, creating a new emblem – the red crystal – 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.
To resolve these issues, 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.
In 2006 the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will amend its statutes to bring them into line with the new provisions of international humanitarian law.
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Source:
ICRC.org
