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American Red Cross Commends Adoption Third Additional Protocol to Geneva Conventions
WASHINGTON, Thursday, December 08, 2005 — Following more than 50 years of work toward resolving the issue, the American Red Cross commends the efforts of governments and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement) for adopting the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions at the Diplomatic Conference held in Geneva this week. The Third Additional Protocol creates an additional emblem alongside the red cross and crescent.
The additional emblem, known as the red crystal, will provide a comprehensive and lasting solution to the emblem question. It will appear as a red square frame standing on one corner with a white interior, placed on a white background.
“Not only does this action create a neutral emblem devoid of cultural, political and religious connotation,” said Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, chairman of the American Red Cross, “it creates an additional protective emblem equal in status to the existing red cross and red crescent. It paves the way for Magen David Adom (MDA) to become a full voting member of the Movement.”
As part of the American Red Cross commitment to the Movement's Fundamental Principles of universality, the American Red Cross has considered the admission of MDA to the Movement a policy priority for more than 50 years. MDA is the organization that carries out the work of the Movement in Israel. Instead of using the red cross or red crescent, it uses a red Star of David to identify its ambulances and relief workers.
The signing of an agreement between the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and MDA on November 28, also contributed to the successful outcome of the Conference by defining operational arrangements that will enhance these National Societies' cooperation when carrying out their humanitarian mandate.
The adoption of the Third Additional Protocol marks the end of the diplomatic process, and it is now the responsibility of the Movement to adapt its rules and procedures to the new situation. The Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent will now call an International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in 2006, which will bring together those States that are party to the Geneva Conventions, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the 183 member Societies of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The Conference will be asked to amend the statutes of the Movement, to take into account the creation of the new emblem, in order to realize the objective of universality.
“The American Red Cross would like to thank the United States government, the Swiss government, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for all of their tireless efforts in helping to make the adoption of the Third Additional Protocol a reality,“ said McElveen-Hunter.
“In order for MDA to become a full voting member of the Movement, several additional steps need to take place as early as spring 2006, and the American Red Cross will continue to work to ensure that these steps are achieved,” added McElveen-Hunter.
For more information on this issue, please visit www.redcross.org.
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
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