On World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, observed under the theme “On the Side of Humanity,” the President of the Senegalese Red Cross, Bafou Ba, on Thursday emphasized the urgent need for enhanced protection of the humanitarian organization’s globally recognized emblem.
Speaking on this significant day, Ms. Ba called for intensified advocacy efforts with national authorities to highlight the critical economic, security, and political-diplomatic implications associated with safeguarding their emblem. She stressed the importance of raising public awareness regarding the existing legislation governing its proper use and expanding avenues for collaboration within the humanitarian sector.
Ms. Ba expressed her concern over the persistent and recurring instances of misuse, imitation, and unauthorized appropriation of the Red Cross emblem, despite ongoing public awareness campaigns. She urged for increased vigilance and more rigorous enforcement of the relevant laws. In response, Cheikh Talibou Djimbera, Director of the National Service for Education and Health and Social Information at the Ministry of Health and Social Action, reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to supporting the Senegalese Red Cross. He pledged a strengthened partnership, broader dissemination of awareness messages, and strict enforcement of the legal frameworks designed to protect the emblem.
According to Fally Sadio, Head of Communications for the Senegalese Red Cross, the emblem transcends being a mere logo; its historical significance is profound, having lent its name to the earliest relief societies and subsequently to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as early as 1875. Recognized universally, the emblem serves the dual purpose of protecting relief personnel and clearly identifying members of the Movement. “Unfortunately,” Mr. Sadio lamented, “we are currently witnessing a misuse of the emblem’s intended purpose, including imitation, usurpation, or perfidy.
These are serious acts that risk diminishing its protective value and undermining the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance.” He further emphasized that any unauthorized use of the Red Cross, Red Crescent, and their respective names constitutes an illegal act punishable under international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols, and Senegalese Law No. 2013-711 of August 5, 2013.
TE/Sf/fss/abj/APA