SYMBOL CONDITIONS

Forms and Usage

The provisions concerning the form and use of the Red Cross Symbol and Red Crescent Societies are in:

1. First Geneva Convention Article 38-45

2. Geneva Convention II, Article 41-45

3. 1977 Geneva Protocol 1

4. Assessment XX International Conference of the Red Cross in 1965

5. Work results of the Board of Delegates of the Red Cross Movement and the International Red Crescent in 1991

In use, the placement Coat of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies should not touch the edges and white base. 

Coat should be intact and should not be added paintings, drawings or writings. At the Red Crescent symbol, the face (to the right or left) was not determined, it is up to the Society is using it. 

Furthermore, rules for use of the Coat of National Societies as well as for the institutions cooperating with the National Societies, such as fundraising and other social activities listed in the "Regulations on the Use of the emblem of the Red Cross and of the Red Crescent by the National Societies". This regulation, adopted in Budapest in November 1991, entered into force since 1992.

Symbol Function

Has determined that the symbol has a function to:

a. Identification signs that prevail in peacetime

b. Protection signs that prevail in peacetime and war / conflict

When used as an Identification Signs, Symbols must be small in size, serves also to remind that the above institutions work in accordance with Basic Principles of the Movement. Use as a Symbol of Identification Signs also indicate that a person, a vehicle or a building associated with the Movement. To that end, the Movement is an organization to manage the technical use of the mark in a uniform identifier for example, buildings, vehicles and so forth. Use any symbol as a sign recognizer should be based on national legislation regarding its national symbol to the Association. 

If the symbol is used as a protective sign, symbol should lead to an automatic reaction for restraint and respect between the combatants. Coat should always be shown in its original form. In other words, there is nothing that can not be added to her - either to the Red Cross, Red Crescent or basically white. Because the symbol had to be recognized from a distance as far as possible, its size should be large, which is necessary in situations of war. Symbol indicating the existence of protection for: 

a. Medical and religious personnel of the armed forces

b. Units and medical facilities of the armed forces

c. Units and medical transportation when used as the National Society of Additional medical services of the armed forces

d. Medical equipment

Coat Abuse

Any State Party to the Geneva Convention have an obligation to make rules or laws to prevent and reduce misuse Coat. Specifically state must approve a regulation to protect the Red Cross Symbol and Red Crescent Societies. Thus, the use of symbol which is not allowed by the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol is a violation of law. Coat forms of abuse are:

a. Mimicking (Imitation):

The use of signs that can be misconstrued as an emblem of the Red Cross interpreter or red crescent (for example color and shape are similar). Usually used for commercial purposes.

b. Inappropriate usage (Usurpation):

Use of the Red Cross emblem or the red crescent by groups or individuals (commercial companies, non-governmental organizations, individuals, private doctors, pharmacists, etc.) or the use of symbols by people who have the right, but used for purposes incompatible with the Basic Principles of Movement ( for example a person who is entitled to use the symbol but use it to get through the border more easily when not in the task).

c. Terms of Use Violation / Violation (Perfidy / Grave misuse):

Use of the Red Cross emblem or the red crescent in wartime to protect the armed combatants or military equipment (for example ambulances or helicopters to transport marked with the symbols of armed combatants; where stockpiling ammunition covered by the flag of the Red Cross) will be treated as war crimes.