The Fundamental

Principles and the Emblems

in Action
The Movement: Fundamental Principles

Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality
Independence
Voluntary service
Unity
Universality
The Movement: Fundamental Principles
Humanity
 prevent and alleviate human suffering
Impartiality
 non-discrimination and proportionality
Neutrality
 retain credibility by not taking sides
Independence
 autonomy with respect to all powers
Voluntary service
 disinterested relief movement
Unity
 only one NS per country
Universality
 equal rights for all NS
Why do the Principles exist?

Universal reference
Transparency and predictability
Guide the Movement’s humanitarian action
Link the Movement components
The Fundamental
Principles are not rules
or commandments that
tell us exactly what to
do. They are goals and
guidelines that require
careful judgment to
implement.
Why an emblem ?

To be identified as part of the Movement

 NS, ICRC, IFRC

To be recognized and accepted as a neutral,

impartial and independent organization

 To access victims and carry out our duties

What are the recognized emblems ?

1863

1929 & 1949

1980

2005
The legal basis

The Geneva Conventions (1949) and their

additional protocols (1977 and 2005)

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

statutes

The national law

How to use the emblems ?

Protective use : of the persons or objects

protected during conflict or armed violence

Indicative use : to link a person or an object

to the Movement
Who can use the emblem ?
Who can use the emblem ?

Protective use:
 Medical services or religious personnel of armed
forces
 Movement's components (NS, ICRC,IFRC)
 Civilian hospital
 Civilian medical units

Indicative use
 Movement's components
 First-aid posts and ambulances
The unauthorized uses of the emblem
The misuses

What is a misuse ?
Imitation
Improper use
Perfidy

Dangers of misuse
Diminished protective value
Undermines humanitarian assistance
Unrecognized emblems
 An additional emblem
the Red Crystal

(Additional Protocol 3 -APIII)

Why an additional emblem?

Wrong perception of the emblem diminishes

its protective value

To enable National Societies who do not

want to use the existing emblems to join the
Movement

To end the proliferation of protective

emblems
The long way towards an additional
emblem
1992-2000: call for from the ICRC president,
the International Conference and first draft

2005: states adopt AP III

2006: the Movement Statutes include the

Red Crystal as new emblem

2006: AP III comes into force

Today: 75 signatures and 9 ratifications

What does the Additional Protocol do ?

Recognition of another emblem free of

religious, cultural, political connotation and
equal in status
Better protection for humanitarian workers
and victims of armed conflicts
Another emblem at the disposal of National
Societies
National Societies can use the red cross and
the red crescent together
Stops the proliferation of emblems
What is not changed ?

No state or National Society needs to change

its existing emblem

Neither the ICRC nor the Federation will

change their name

Duty of states to prevent and repress

misuse, and make APIII known
The red crystal

Does not replace the red cross or the red

crescent
Broadens the choice
Gives more flexibility
Contributes to the universality of the
Movement
Strengthens the protective value of the
emblem
Ends the proliferation of emblems
Protective use
Indicative use
 Thank you

Any question
?