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Red Cross Statement Regarding Adoption of Third Additional Protocol
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, December 07, 2005 — The American Red Cross is extremely pleased that governments have adopted the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions.
The Third Additional Protocol lays the groundwork for the National Society of Israel, Magen David Adom, to become a full voting member of the Red Cross Movement. As part of its policy of universality, the American Red Cross has considered the admission of MDA to the Movement a policy priority for more than 50 years and in protest of non-admission had been withholding its dues payments to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in excess of $35 million dollars.
Adoption of the Third Additional Protocol will also serve to create an additional protective emblem equal in status to the existing Red Cross and Red Crescent devoid of political, cultural or religious connotations. 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.
In order for MDA to become a full voting member of the Movement, several additional steps need to take place as early as spring of 2006 and the American Red Cross will continue to work to ensure that these steps are achieved.
For more information on this issue, please visit www.redcross.org/mda/.
If you are a member of the media please contact Devorah Goldburg at 202-439-0720.
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