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If you’re paying attention to the news you’ve probably heard about the Red Cross emblem’s role in freeing FARC rebels in Colombia on July 2.

We thought it might be confusing for the average non Red Crosser (and even most Red Crossers) to understand the roles of the various members of the international Red Cross family.

The following will explain what we know about the situation and offer resources to decipher the different roles and responsibilities. 

Events in Colombia:

• On July 2, fifteen hostages were freed from FARC rebels in Colombia.
• We now know that the security forces responsible for releasing the hostages were wearing uniforms with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) logo and Red Cross emblem.
• The ICRC is the guardian of the Geneva Conventions, which regulates the use of the Red Cross emblem.

Information Resources:

• Learn more about this issue from the ICRC.
• Learn more about the American Red Cross and the ICRC as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
• View a video by the ICRC that highlights its important work in Colombia.

Filed under: International, Mapping, Uncategorized, Video