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Consequences for National Societies,
ICRC and the International Federation
1. How can an emblem
be used?
The emblems recognized by the Geneva Conventions
have two uses: a protective use and an indicative use.
The first use is as a visible sign of
the protection conferred by international humanitarian law on
persons, vehicles and structures of the medical services of the
armed forces, medical staff from National Societies and persons,
vehicles and structures of the International Committee of the
Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies. This is the protective use of the emblem.
The second use of the emblem identifies
persons, vehicles or structures linked to the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This is the indicative use of
the emblem.
The most common indicative use of the
emblem is the logo of National Societies, displaying the emblem,
accompanied by the name or initials of the National Society and
used to identify activities, persons and objects linked to the
National Society.
2. Who decides whether
the additional emblem will be used in a State?
As the red crystal, like the other emblems,
is established by a treaty, the government of a State takes that
decision. It is possible for a State to decide to adopt the additional
emblem as the exclusive emblem to be used on its territory. It
is also possible for the government to lay down rules governing
the way the red crystal can be used for temporary or emergency
purposes, in accordance with the Protocol. This is its own decision,
taken in accordance with its own national laws.
3. What will happen
to the emblem now in use in my country?
There will be no change unless the State
wants to change. States and National Societies that currently
use and want to keep using the red cross or the red crescent will
continue to do so.
4. Will it be possible
to incorporate the red cross, the red crescent or another emblem
inside the red crystal?
For indicative use only, National Societies
may choose to incorporate, inside the red crystal, a distinctive
emblem recognized by the Geneva Conventions or a combination of
such emblems. A National Society could therefore adopt the red
crystal emblem without abandoning its 'traditional' red cross
or red crescent emblem.
The Protocol also provides for new opportunities,
allowing National Societies to include a combination of these
emblems inside the red crystal. This flexibility will help some
National Societies working outside their own territory in countries
where their own emblem is not well known or respected.
5. What will be
the situation in Israel?
The Protocol enables Magen David Adom
in Israel to continue to use its red shield of David as its sole
emblem inside Israel. When working outside Israel the Society
will need to work according to the requirements of the host country.
Normally this would mean that it could display the red shield
of David incorporated within the red crystal, or use the red crystal
alone.
6. What happens
if a National Society operates in another country?
When Societies want to use their name
and emblem in another country or territory they are always subject
to the laws of that country and to the agreement of the National
Society of that country, as well as to agreement from any countries
of transit. This rule has been in place since 1921, and has been
reaffirmed by the Protocol.
7. Will the International
Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies or the International Red Cross
and Red Crescent Movement change their names or current emblems?
No. The preamble of the Third Additional
Protocol notes the determination of the international components
of the Movement to retain their current names and emblems.
However, the Protocol also enables ICRC
and the International Federation to decide to use the additional
emblem, temporarily and under exceptional circumstance. This would
be in complex situations where local circumstances suggest that
it would provide additional protection and safety for victims,
staff and operations.
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