Symbols of protection
The neutral emblems of the red cross, red crescent and red crystal are international symbols of protection in situations of armed conflict. The emblems identify people or facilities engaged in the provision of medical aid or humanitarian assistance, and they mean 'don't shoot!' in any language.
Those who wear or work under the emblems are to be protected at all times. Protected people include medical personnel, medical equipment such as hospitals and ambulances, chaplains attached to military forces, and humanitarian workers including Red Cross Red Crescent delegates.
Use of the emblems
As well as the protective purpose of the emblems, National Societies such as Australian Red Cross can use the emblem in peacetime to indicate that a person or object is linked to the Movement and works in accordance with the Movement's Fundamental Principles.
Protection of and respect for the red cross or red crescent emblems is a vital component of IHL. Any misuse of the emblems weakens their protective effects and undermines the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance provided to victims.
The Geneva Conventions oblige nations to adopt specific national legislation governing the use of the emblems, including specifically prohibiting perfidious use of the emblem, which is a war crime. In Australia, the red cross and red crescent emblems are protected by the Geneva Conventions Act 1957. The emblems cannot be used without first obtaining the express permission of the Minister for Defence.
Development of the Red Crystal
Despite the red cross and red crescent emblems being exclusively universal and humanitarian symbols, they have been wrongly perceived as having religious, cultural and political considerations. This has affected respect for the emblems and has diminished the protection they offer to vulnerable people, and humanitarian aid providers operating in conflict.
The solution, endorsed by governments, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Movement, was the creation of a third additional emblem, known as the red crystal.
In December 2005, at a diplomatic conference, the nations party to the Geneva Conventions adopted a Third Additional Protocol to the Conventions, establishing the red crystal as a third symbol of protection. This third and final humanitarian emblem enhances protection in cases where neither the red cross nor the red crescent emblems are respected as neutral.
The emblem in Australia
Australian Red Cross's name will remain the same and we will continue to use the red cross emblem. Governments and National Societies are obliged to promote awareness and respect for the three emblems. This remains a vital challenge in Australia to ensure the emblems' protective power continues in situations of armed conflict.
In December 2005, a new international treaty dealing with the protective emblems was opened for signature. The Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 adopts an additional distinctive emblem, known as the red crystal, for protection of victims of international armed conflicts (Protocol III). Additional Protocol III came into force on 14 January 2007, was ratified by Australia on 15 July 2009, and was implemented domestically via an amendment to the Geneva Conventions Act 1957. Consequently, the red crystal emblem is recognised as a protective emblem of equal status to the red cross and red crescent, both in Australia and internationally.
See Australian Red Cross's submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties inquiry relating to ratification of Additional Protocol III for further explanation of the need for the red crystal.
Misuse of the emblem
One of our greatest challenges is to maintain the integrity and respect for the red cross, red crescent and now red crystal emblems. It is against the law to use them without express permission from the Australian Government. Every day Australian Red Cross has to issue demands for other organisations or companies to stop misusing the emblem.
Why be so strict?
The emblem is a visible sign of protection for certain people and objects in times of war. It says 'don't shoot' in every language. If the emblem is misused and/or altered people may become confused and not give the emblem the protection that it demands. If its integrity becomes compromised, confidence in the emblem may be eroded.
In Australia only Red Cross may use the emblem to indicate a Red Cross service or property. This is an 'indicative use' of the emblem. To show that this is NOT a 'protective use' of the emblem we place the words 'Australian Red Cross' underneath or next to the emblem.
The emblem should NEVER be placed on products for sale by a commercial company. The emblem should NEVER be used as a punctuation mark such as a 'plus' sign.
If you see what you suspect to be a misuse of the emblem, please contact the Red Cross on emblemmisuse@redcross.org.au
