What are the rules for the use of the Red Cross emblem?

In accordance with article 44 of the first Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949, the Red Cross emblem (to which the Red Crescent emblem also applies) is of two distinct natures, protective and illustrative. The former refers to the persons, equipment, vehicles, institutions, etc., using the emblem, which are protected by the relevant provisions of the Convention; the latter merely describes or indicates that the person or thing using the emblem is only related to or subordinate to the Red Cross and is not protected by the Convention. The use of the Red Cross emblem is, in the first place, the competence of the military authorities, and in particular of the medical services of the armed forces. Accordingly, the use of the Red Cross emblem should, as a rule, be authorized by the military authorities concerned and should not be used for commercial activities for profit. In time of war, such authorization is granted in particular to military medical units engaged in the rescue of the sick and wounded, i.e. its personnel may wear the Red Cross armband during field rescues; its ambulances, hospital ships, medical aircraft, hospitals, etc., may fly the Red Cross flag; its medical equipment may be affixed with the Red Cross emblem; and so on. Both belligerents shall give protection in accordance with the Convention and shall not violate it. However, once these personnel, equipment, facilities, institutions, etc., are no longer in the service of the sick and wounded in the field, they are no longer under the protection of the Convention; and if hospitals, ambulances, etc., are used for the purpose of covering or transporting troops in combat, this constitutes a violation of the Convention.

The States parties to the Geneva Conventions have enacted strict domestic legislation in accordance with the requirements of the Conventions, which clearly defines how the Red Cross emblem is to be used. Generally speaking, the Red Cross is not authorized to use the protective emblem, but in peacetime it may use the Red Cross emblem in accordance with the provisions of its domestic legislation, although such use does not, of course, contain any protective significance. The International Red Cross provides that members of national Red Cross societies, youth members, Red Cross-trained first-aiders, hygienists, etc., may wear Red Cross badges, epaulettes, lapel pins, badges, caps, pins, etc., and that it is desirable that the Red Cross Emblem of such badges, etc., should be surrounded by a pattern of ornaments or be engraved with the type of the wearer's character. The emblem should be as small as possible and should not be too large. Premises fully occupied by the Red Cross may also be painted with the Red Cross emblem or fly the Red Cross flag; where they are partially occupied, the Red Cross emblem may be hung only in the offices of the occupied part; and where they are owned by the Red Cross and are not occupied, they may only be hung with the Society's plate without the emblem. Others, such as ambulances, first-aid stations, etc., may be painted with or display the Red Cross emblem if they are owned and used by the Red Cross. Publications of the Red Cross, or articles sold in connection with fund-raising, may also bear the Red Cross emblem. Relief goods distributed free of charge to victims of disasters may also bear the Red Cross emblem. Relief materials destined for foreign countries may be given preferential treatment in the form of reduced or exempted transportation fees when the Red Cross Emblem is affixed to them, and priority is given to the rush transportation of emergency relief materials in particular. The use of the emblem by non-Red Cross organizations must be approved in advance by the authorities concerned and by the Red Cross.

The Red Cross emblem serves the following two purposes:

1. Protective emblem: It indicates that persons or objects protected by humanitarian regulations should not be attacked.

2. Marking: indicating persons or things associated with the Red Cross Movement.

The Red Cross emblem is a symbol that conveys a specific message in armed conflict and contains no political, religious, philosophical or other meanings invented by people on the basis of their impressions and feelings. But it is indisputable that the Red Cross' remarkable contribution over more than a century has given the emblem great appeal and authority.