The Flag of Switzerland is specially protected in most countries around the world. Due to the fact that the invers flag the Red Cross is mostly protected.[1]
Origin edit
All countries how signed the First Geneva Convention are obliged to protect the symbols of the Red Cross.
The use by individuals, societies, firms or companies either public or private, other than those entitled thereto under the present Convention, of the emblem or the designation "Red Cross" or "Geneva Cross", or any sign or designation constituting an imitation thereof, whatever the object of such use, and irrespective of the date of its adoption, shall be prohibited at all times.
Because the flag of Switzerland has the reversed colours as the Red Cross and to paid tribute to Switzerland the Swiss flag is also protected.
By reason of the tribute paid to Switzerland by the adoption of the reversed Federal colours, and of the confusion which may arise between the arms of Switzerland and the distinctive emblem of the Convention, the use by private individuals, societies or firms, of the arms of the Swiss Confederation, or of marks constituting an imitation thereof, whether as trademarks or commercial marks, or as parts of such marks, or for a purpose contrary to commercial honesty, or in circumstances capable of wounding Swiss national sentiment, shall be prohibited at all times.
Article 53[2]
Because of this article some countries created specific laws for the symbols of the Red Cross and the flag of Switzerland.
List of laws edit
| Country | Law(s) |  Red Cross |
 Red Crescent |
 Red Crystal |
 Red Lion with Sun |
 Red Shield of David |
 Flag of Switzerland
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parties how signed the Geneva Conventions | Convention (I) §53 | §53 | §53 | §53 | §53 | §53 | §53 | ||
 Austria |
Rotkreuzgesetz | §8. (1) a) | §8. (1) b) | §8. (1) c) | §8. (1) b) |  |
§8. (2) | ||
 Germany |
§125 | §125 (1) | |
|
|
|
§125 (2) | ||
 Liechtenstein |
Nr. 15 | §1 1) | |
|
|
|
| ||
 Netherlands |
§435 | §435c | §435c | §435c | §435c | §435c | §435d | ||
 Switzerland |
232.22 & 232.21 | §1 | §12 | §12 | §12 | |
232.21 | ||
 United States |
18 U.S.C. § 706, 18 U.S.C. § 706a & 18 U.S.C. § 708 | §706 | §706a (a) | §706a (a) | |
|
§708 |
References edit
- ^ Crawford, Emily (11 May 2016). "Explainer: why protecting the Red Cross emblem matters". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ "Misuse of the Emblem". International Committee of the Red Cross. 12 August 1949. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.