The Red Crystal

An additional emblem for use by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Background

Traditionally, the red cross and red crescent have been the emblems of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. They are used to protect medical personnel, buildings and equipment in times of armed conflict and to identify National Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The ICRC uses the red cross. The IFRC uses both emblems together. National Societies have to choose one emblem to represent their society.

Though the red cross and red crescent are meant to be symbols of neutrality, some countries feel that they have religious, political or cultural connotations. Therefore, they would like to use other emblems, for example the red shield, which is used by the Magen David Adom of Israel, or both the red crescent and red cross emblems together in some countries. Until recently, this was not possible under the terms of the Geneva Conventions and the statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Additional emblem

In order to resolve this situation, an additional emblem was adopted in December 2005 by a Diplomatic Conference of States Party to the Geneva Conventions. This additional emblem is called the red crystal and appears as a red frame in the shape of a square on edge, on a white background. It has the same status as all emblems recognized by the Geneva Conventions.

The adoption of an additional emblem and the changes to the Statutes of the Movement (June 2006) also paved the way for the admission of the Magen David Adom of Israel and the Palestine Red Crescent Society into the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

More information and a comprehensive explanation of the emblems please visit the Federation’s website (under “Who We Are”) or the ICRC’s website (under “Focus”).