New ICRC symbol adopted |15 July 2006

The meeting, the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC), took place at the organisation’s Geneva headquarters, and was attended by the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS) president, Colette Servina, who saw the statutes of the organisation altered to include the new symbol.

The addition of the crystal symbol, which was proposed in December last year at a diplomatic conference of states which adopted the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, was formally carried out at the international conference in late June.

In addition the participants requested that the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation recognise and admit the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PCRS) into the movement.

As a result the ICRC has now recognised the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the Israeli National Society, Magen David Adom (MDA), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will admit both National Societies.

According to a RCSS press release, “The acceptance by States party to the Geneva Conventions of the Movement’s amended Statutes also means that National Societies can benefit from the flexibility afforded by the Third Additional Protocol in the use of the red crystal or of a combination of emblems recognized by the Conventions.”

“The use of the red crystal will also provide additional protection to war victims and humanitarian workers in conflict situations where the Red Cross or the Red Crescent cannot be used.”