As the guardian of international humanitarian law, the ICRC recalls that use of the red cross emblem is specifically regulated by the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols of 1977. The red cross emblem must be respected in all circumstance and its misuse is prohibited.

In addition, the ICRC reiterates the importance of respecting the red cross emblem as a protective sign enabling its representatives to access the areas most affected by the armed conflict and to carry out their activities to protect and assist the victims. The ICRC, a neutral and impartial humanitarian organization, must enjoy the trust of all the parties to the conflict to be able to carry out its humanitarian work.