Why was the red crystal adopted as an additional emblem?
Over 190 countries currently use either the red cross or the red crescent emblems. However, these emblems are sometimes perceived as having religious, cultural or political connotations. This has affected respect for the emblems, especially in certain conflict situations, and has diminished the protection the emblems offer to victims, humanitarian workers and medical personnel. Some countries, therefore, wanted to use other emblems, or in the alternative, both the red crescent and red cross together. This was not possible under the terms of the Geneva Conventions and the statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The additional emblem, known as the red crystal, is a red frame in the shape of a square on edge, on a white background. The red crystal is perceived to be free from any religious, political, ethnic or other connotation. It has the same status as the red cross and red crescent emblems recognized by the Geneva Conventions.
