Canadian Red Cross welcomes the addition of a third emblem for use by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
(Ottawa, December 8, 2005) — The Canadian Red Cross welcomes today’s decision at a Diplomatic Conference in Switzerland to adopt a Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, thereby creating an additional emblem for use by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Over 190 countries currently use either the red cross or the red crescent emblems. However, these emblems are sometimes perceived as having religious, cultural or political connotations. This has affected respect for the emblems, especially in certain conflict situations, and has diminished the protection the emblems offer to victims, humanitarian and medical personnel.
In addition, some countries would like to use other emblems, or both the red crescent and red cross emblems together. This was not possible under the terms of the Geneva Conventions and the statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The additional emblem, to be known as the red crystal, will appear as a red frame in the shape of a square on edge, on a white background. The red crystal is perceived to be free from any religious, political, ethnic or other connotation. It will have the same status as the existing red cross and red crescent emblems recognized by the Geneva Conventions.
It is hoped that the adoption of the red crystal as an additional emblem of the Movement will help to increase respect for the emblem, increasing the protection that it offers. The adoption of an additional emblem also paves the way for the admission of certain National Societies, such as the Magen David Adom of Israel and the Palestine Red Crescent Society, into the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The Canadian Red Cross has actively supported efforts of the Standing Commission of Red Cross and Red Crescent, the ICRC and the International Federation over the past several years to achieve a lasting solution to this complex issue. We are pleased with the resolution, and welcome the additional emblem.
More information can be found on the Canadian Red Cross Web site at, the Federation’s Web site at http://www.ifrc.org/ (under “Who We Are”) or the ICRC’s Website at http://www.icrc.org/ (under “Focus”).
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For more information:
Alice d’Anjou
Canadian Red Cross
Tel.: (613) 740-1928
Cell: (613) 222-6196
