What are the rules for using the sign of the Red Cross?

As a protective symbol, the Red Cross represents the Geneva Conventions in wartime and provides protection for people and things (medical personnel, vehicles and equipment) according to the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. The right of use basically belongs to the medical department of the State Party and its armed forces, and the officially recognized aid agencies that provide assistance to the medical department of the armed forces, especially the national Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies, can use this protection sign. But it can only be used in wartime and must be marked according to the instructions of the military.

According to the Geneva Convention, only the Red Cross Societies, the International Committee and the International Federation can use it in non-war time, and it can be used as a protective sign for medical personnel on the battlefield in wartime. No armed forces may attack vehicles, personnel and facilities marked with the Red Cross, otherwise they will be treated as war criminals.

Regarding the use of the Red Cross symbol in the Colombian army hostage rescue operation, the International Committee of the Red Cross made it clear afterwards that it did not participate in the Colombian hostage rescue operation. The unauthorized use of the Red Cross symbol by the Colombian side in military operations is detrimental to the neutrality of the Red Cross and may endanger the safety of real Red Cross personnel in the future.