RED CRYSTAL BECOMES ADDITIONAL PROTECTIVE EMBLEM
Yerevan, January 15. ArmInfo. The International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRC) welcome the entry into force on 14 January
2007 of the Third Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of
1949. The Third Protocol introduces a protective emblem called the
red crystal alongside the red cross and red crescent emblems.
The adoption of the red crystal reaffirms the determination of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to consolidate its
universality and thereby to enhance its strength and credibility. By
offering new possibilities for protection and identification to
National Societies and States that wish to use the red crystal, the
Third Protocol exemplifies the Movement’s commitment to neutral and
independent humanitarian action. Ultimately, the goal is to improve
protection for all those who need it, be they beneficiaries of
humanitarian aid or persons striving to deliver it.
The Third Protocol was adopted by a large majority of States at
a diplomatic conference held in December 2005 in Geneva. The 29th
International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which took
place in June 2006, amended the Movement’s statutes to incorporate
the additional emblem.
So far, 84 States have signed the Third Protocol and nine States have
ratified it. The Swiss government is the depositary of the treaty.
Now the challenge will be to generate the same worldwide recognition
of and respect for the red crystal as is widely afforded to the red
cross and red crescent. This is a long-term task that must be pursued
by the members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
and by the States party to the Geneva Conventions.