Geneva Distinctive Emblems Protection Act of 2006
PL 109-481 (H.R.6338), enacted 01/12/2007

120 STAT. 3673
PUBLIC LAW 109–481—JAN. 12, 2007
Public Law 109–481
109th Congress
An Act
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent and repress the misuse of
the Red Crescent distinctive emblem and the Third Protocol (Red Crystal) distinc-
tive emblem.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Geneva Distinctive Emblems
Protection Act of 2006’’.
SEC. 2. GENEVA DISTINCTIVE EMBLEMS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 33 of title 18, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 706 the following:
‘‘§ 706a. Geneva distinctive emblems
‘‘(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 (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 Soci-
eties 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.
18 USC 1 note.
Geneva
Distinctive
Emblems
Protection Act of
2006.
Jan. 12, 2007
[H.R. 6338]
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120 STAT. 3674
PUBLIC LAW 109–481—JAN. 12, 2007
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 6338:
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
Dec. 5, considered and passed House.
Dec. 8, considered and passed Senate.
‘‘(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.’’.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 33 of title 18, United States Code, is amended
by inserting after the item relating to section 706 the following
new item:
‘‘706a. Geneva distinctive emblems.’’.
Approved January 12, 2007.
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