Myanmar Red Cross Society

EMBLEMS OF HUMANITY

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EMBLEMS OF HUMANITY

The red cross and red crescent emblems are a universal sign of hope for people in humanitarian crises. For communities enduring the trauma of armed conflict and other situations of violence or the hardships of natural disaster, the emblems signal that help is on its way.

Whether displayed on the badge of a doctor working in a field hospital, the side of a vehicle transporting wounded people in war, or a plane delivering relief supplies, these emblems symbolize impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian action to people around the world.

But they are also about much more. In times of armed conflict, the red cross and the red crescent together with the red crystal, are internationally recognized symbols of the protection that is due to the armed forces’ medical personnel, facilities and vehicles and to authorized civilian medical services. This includes the medical services of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (National Societies) when acting as auxiliaries to armed forces’ medical services or when duly authorized by the authorities in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.

The emblems are free of any religious, political or cultural association. They may be put to two different uses:

  • A sign of protection, which informs the parties to an armed conflict that the people, vehicles or facilities displaying these emblems must be protected at all times and may never be targeted or attacked. This is known as the protective use of the emblems.
  • To indicate the affiliation of a person, vehicle or facility with the organizations that make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This is known as the indicative use of the emblems.

HOW CAN THE EMBLEMS BE USED?

In times of armed conflict, they can be used for protective purposes to ensure the safety of:

  • medical services and religious personnel of the armed forces;
  • medical personnel, facilities and vehicles of National Societies when placed at the disposal of the medical services of the armed forces and subject to military laws and regulations;
  • with the express authorization of the government and under its control, civilian hospitals, all civilian medical units and other voluntary relief societies and medical facilities, their staff and civilian medical personnel, as well as vehicles assigned to the treatment and transport of the wounded, sick and shipwrecked. All three emblems have equal status and may be used individually as a protective device. They must be displayed on a white background, without wording or additional graphics, designs or inscriptions.

During times of peace, the emblems may be also displayed individually and in their pure form, as a symbol of protection by:

  • medical services and religious personnel of the armed forces;
  • National Society staff, medical facilities and vehicles that could be mobilized in the event of armed conflict, with the authorities’ consent.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) may use the emblems at all times (in times of peace and armed conflict alike).

For indicative purposes

In times of peace the emblems can be displayed for indicative purposes by:

  • volunteers, staff or property affiliated with the Movement (the National Societies, the ICRC or the International Federation);
  • as an exceptional measure by ambulances and first-aid stations exclusively assigned to providing free treatment to the wounded and sick in line with domestic legislation and with the express authorization of the National Society.

When used as an “indicative device” by any of the Movement’s organizations as part of their logos, the emblem must always be accompanied by their name or initials, and not simply the words “red cross” or “red crescent.” The emblem must also be displayed in small dimensions and may not be placed on armlets or on roofs of buildings in order to avoid any confusion with the emblems used for protective purposes.

MISUSE OF THE EMBLEMS

Any misuse of the emblems may diminish their protective value and erode respect for them in times of armed conflict. This could endanger the lives of those entitled to display an emblem for their protection while providing medical care, and undermine the safe access of the Movement’s humanitarian workers and relief. Here are some of the ways in which the emblems must not be used:

Imitation

The use of a sign which, owing to its shape and colour, may be confused with one of the emblems.

Improper use

Any use of an emblem inconsistent withinternational humanitarian law. The use of anemblem by unauthorized people or entities(commercial enterprises, pharmacists, privatedoctors, non-governmental organizations,individuals, etc.) or for purposes that are likelyto undermine the prestige or the respect dueto the emblem.

Perfidy

The use of the emblem during an armed conflict to protect combatants and military equipment and with the intent to mislead the adversary. When causing death or serious personal injury, perfidious use of the emblem is considered a war crime.

In order to ensure universal respect for and protection of the emblems, each State party to the 1949 Geneva Conventions has an obligation to enact national legislation with the aim of regulating the use of the emblems and of preventing and punishing their improper use both in times of war and peace. National authorities must also take steps to inform the public, businesses and the medical community of the proper use of the emblems. National Societies also cooperate with the authorities to ensure proper use of the emblems.

SYMBOLS OF THE HUMANITARIAN ACTION BY THE INTERNATIONALRED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT

By displaying the emblems of the red cross or the red crescent to show their association with the Movement during armed conflict, natural disasters or other emergencies, a National Society’s staff and volunteers are sending a very important message: the work they are carrying out is purely humanitarian and their safe access to people and communities affected by crisis must be respected at all times. Those in the Movement who display these symbols are committed to carrying out their humanitarian mission in accordance with the Movement’s seven Fundamental Principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. People understand that their work is not linked to any political, religious, military or economic agenda and should therefore be accepted, trusted and respected by all. This understanding is critical because it means that people of all backgrounds, and on all sides of an armed conflict, have trust in these workers’ intentions. This in turn helps Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers to reach all people and communities in need safely even during wartime and other humanitarian crises.

ENDURING EMBLEMS

In 1859, Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman travelling through northern Italy, witnessed the grim aftermath of a battle in and around the city of Solferino. Deeply moved by the suffering of thousands of wounded and sick people left without adequate medical care, he published A Memory of Solferino, in which he put forward two proposals for improving assistance for people affected by armed conflict:

  • to establish, in peacetime, in every country, relief societies composed of volunteers ready to assist wounded and sick people during armed conflict;
  • to encourage countries to agree on the protection of wounded and sick people on the battlefield, as well as those providing them with care.
  • The first proposal led to the establishment of a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in almost every country around the world. The second laid the foundation for the adoption of the Geneva Conventions. The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 are today universally accepted and legally binding on all States. This proposal also led to the adoption of a distinctive emblem to help protect military medical services, volunteer aid workers and wounded and sick people during armed conflict.
  • The emblem had to be simple, clearly identifiable from a distance, widely recognized and consistent. A diplomatic conference held in Geneva in August 1864 adopted the red cross on a white background, the colours of the Swiss flag in reverse. During the 1876–1878 war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, the Ottoman Empire used the red crescent instead of the red cross. The red crescent was formally recognized in 1929 through an amendment to the First Geneva Convention. In 2005, States party to the 1949 Geneva Conventions adopted an additional emblem: the red crystal. The red crystal has the same legal status as the red cross and red crescent and may be used under the same conditions. It provides an alternative for States and National Societies that do not wish to use the red cross or red crescent.

For further information, please go to https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/war-and-law/emblem/overview-emblem.htm