ICRC Deplores Improper
Use Of Red Cross Emblem
In Colombia
GENEVA - The
International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC)
expressed on Wednesday
serious concern over an
"intentional misuse" of
the red cross emblem by
the Colombian military
last month.
The "intentional misuse"
of the emblem happened
on July 2 during a
military operation to
free 15 hostages held by
a rebel group, the
Geneva-based
humanitarian agency said
in a statement.
Video footage aired this
week on Colombian
television reveals that
a member of the army
team involved was
wearing a tabard marked
with the red cross
emblem before the
operation had even
begun, suggesting
intentional misuse, the
statement said.
"If authenticated, these
images would clearly
establish an improper
use of the red cross
emblem, which we
deplore," said Dominik
Stillhart, the ICRC's
deputy director of
operations.
The use of the red
cross, red crescent and
red crystal emblems is
governed by the Geneva
Conventions and their
Additional Protocols.
These emblems may not be
used by bodies or
persons not entitled to
do so under
international
humanitarian law.
"We are in contact with
the Colombian
authorities to ask for
further clarifications
as to exactly what
happened," said
Stillhart.
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