The Hindu : International : New Red Cross symbol

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 07, 2005

International

International

New Red Cross symbol

Owen Bowcott

London: The quest for a neutral symbol transcending religious, political and national differences was close to resolution on Monday as 192 countries met to adopt a new emblem as an alternative to the Red Cross and Red Crescent. A decision on a hollowed-out, red crystal on a white background would pave the way for Israel — which refuses to display either cross or crescent — to join the international movement. Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey urged the Geneva conference to accept the red crystal, or diamond shape, on the grounds that it would enable all countries to join the humanitarian movement. ``Adoption of an additional emblem — devoid of any national, political or religious connotation — would make it possible for us to have a new instrument that we can use to protect military and civilian medical services on the battlefield,'' said Ms Calmy-Rey, the conference chairperson. She also suggested that the crystal symbol could be used where the cross or crescent is not sufficiently recognised and respected. The Iranians were granted permission in 1929 to display a Red Lion and Sun symbol on their first aid vehicles. After the 1979 Revolution, however, the Iranian organisation reverted to the Red Crescent. The Red Cross was first adopted in 1863, when Swiss humanitarians founded the movement to care for casualties of war; it reversed the colours of the Swiss flag. But Muslim countries refused to use it. The Ottoman empire first used the Red Crescent to protect medical workers in the 1876 Russo-Turkish war. Israel, which cooperates with the Red Cross movement, has been denied full membership since it was founded in 1948. Israel's request in 1949 to have the Star of David recognised was blocked by those wanting to avoid a proliferation of emblems. — © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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