Red Cross

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The terms Red Cross and Red Crescent are often used as short names for the [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement]], or its two leading international organs, the ICRC and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This page is about the emblem itself, see respective articles for information about the organizations and movements.

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The Red Cross is an emblem which under the Geneva Conventions is to be placed on humanitarian and medical vehicles and buildings to protect them from military attack on the battlefield. The Red Cross flag is not to be confused with the St George cross which is the flag of England, Barcelona, Freiburg and several other places. The red cross of the St George cross extends to the edge of the flag, whereas the red cross on the Red Cross flag does not.

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Originally only the Red Cross (being the flag of Switzerland reversed) was to be used as an emblem of the Geneva Conventions, but most of the Muslim nations (primarily the Ottoman Empire, later Turkey) objected to this, and as a result an additional emblem (the Red Crescent) was to be provided for. Later Persia (now Iran) managed to have a red lion and sun (the lion and sun being the emblem of Persia) added to the list of available emblems; though the emblem no longer being used by Iran has fallen into disuse in favour of the Red Crescent, Iran has in the past reserved the right to take it up again at any time.

Israel then requested the addition of a Red Star of David, arguing that since Christian and Muslim emblems were recognized the corresponding Jewish emblem should be as well. This emblem is the one currently used by Magen David Adom, but it is not recognized under international humanitarian law. The Red Cross movement has rejected this Israeli request, reasoning that if Jews (or another group) were to be given another emblem, there would be no end to the number of religious or other groups claiming an emblem for themselves. That would detract from the original intention of the Red Cross emblem, which was to be a single emblem to mark vehicles and buildings protected on humanitarian grounds.

In response, the Red Cross movement is in the process of developing a new emblem, which will be without any religious connotations and also easily recognizable on the battlefield; As of 2004 the most likely candidate is a red lozenge or diamond on a white background. Once the Red Cross movement has adopted the emblem it will then be presented to the State Parties to the Geneva Conventions for amendment of the treaties. However, it will only complement and not replace the existing list of emblems.

Use of the Red Cross

As provided for by the Geneva Conventions, the red cross emblem is to be used only to denote the following:

facilities for the care of injured and sick armed forces members
armed forces medical personnel and equipment;
military chaplains;
Red Cross groups such as the International Committee of the Red Cross; the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, formerly "the League of Red Cross Societies"; and the 182 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

The Geneva Conventions obliged their signatories to prevent the unauthorized use of the name and emblem in wartime and peacetime in order to ensure universal respect for the emblem.

Nevertheless, the emblem, in various colours, is an international emblem indicating first aid, medical supplies, and the like, which are abuses of the emblem and shall be forbidden by all signatory powers to the Geneva Conventions.

External links