Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73

§706a Geneva distinctive emblems

Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 33— - EMBLEMS, INSIGNIA, AND NAMES › § 706a

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Using or copying the Red Crescent or the Red Crystal to make people think you are part of those aid groups is a crime. It is also illegal to use signs or look-alike symbols or to call yourself “Red Crescent” or “Third Protocol Emblem” unless you are allowed to. A person or group who breaks this can be fined, jailed for up to 6 months, or both. The law lets certain groups use the emblems: authorized national Red Cross/Red Crescent societies and their staff, the International Committee of the Red Cross and its staff, the International Federation and its staff, and military medical/hospital authorities of countries that signed the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949. Uses that were legal on or before December 8, 2005 are still allowed if they would not, in wartime, look like they give Geneva Convention protections. The Attorney General can sue in civil court to stop violations.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §706a

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Whoever wears or displays the sign of the Red Crescent or the Third Protocol Emblem (the Red Crystal), or any insignia colored in imitation thereof for the fraudulent purpose of inducing the belief that he is a member of or an agent for an authorized national society using the Red Crescent or the Third Protocol Emblem, the International Committee of the Red Cross, or the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.

(b)Except as set forth in section 11 So in original. Probably should be “subsections”. (c) and (d), whoever, whether a corporation, association, or person, uses the emblem of the Red Crescent or the Third Protocol Emblem on a white ground or any sign or insignia made or colored in imitation thereof or the designations “Red Crescent” or “Third Protocol Emblem” shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.

(c)The following may use such emblems and designations consistent with the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, and, if applicable, the Additional Protocols:

(1)Authorized national societies that are members of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and their duly authorized employees and agents.

(2)The International Committee of the Red Cross and its duly authorized employees and agents.

(3)The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and its duly authorized employees and agents.

(4)The sanitary and hospital authorities of the armed forces of State Parties to the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949.

(d)This section does not make unlawful the use of any such emblem, sign, insignia, or words which was lawful on or before December 8, 2005, if such use would not appear in time of armed conflict to confer the protections of the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, and, if applicable, the Additional Protocols.

(e)A violation of this section or section 706 may be enjoined at the civil suit of the Attorney General.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 706a

Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73