The system of protective emblems in international humanitarian law.

Abstract

The Red Crescent and Red Cross emblems are a symbol of neutrality and protection, which is intended to neutralize civilians from being the targets of hostilities, as well as civilian objects. However, their religious connotations have led to many reservations of countries that do not believe in them, creating a crisis in the International Committee of the Red Cross, solved only with the adoption of the Red Square in 2005. This research is characterized by its theoretical and historical nature, and it is based on more than one approach that fits the nature of the studied information from the historical to the analytical method.
This article is generally aimed at introducing the international emblems of protection in international humanitarian law, their function and the challenges they have faced and are currently facing. The study concluded that the emblems and other signs play an important role in distinguishing between military and civilian targets, which contributes to reducing the number of civilian victims. In other hand the cases of misuse of emblems in peacetime as well as wartime, reduce the trust in them, this why States are obliged to adopt laws on the legitimate use and punish those who violate them.