Any misuse of the Red Cross emblem is a breach of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), visiting Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey warned here Monday.
"(The International Red Cross) symbol isn't just a symbol...its improper use could become a dangerous precedent," Calmy-Rey said during her meeting with Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudes.
The Colombian military used the Red Cross symbol during a rescue operation on July 2 to free 15 hostages from the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
However, Calmy-Rey said that her country has taken note of the apologies rendered by Colombia for its unauthorized use of the Red Cross symbol during the operation.
The Swiss minister also urged Colombia to stop criticizing Jean-Pierre Gontard, a Swiss envoy mediating hostage release from the FARC.
Colombian authorities said Gontard had used offensive words against President Alvaro Uribe in emails to FARC leaders.
Gontard was also accused of paying ransom to the FARC for the release of two employees of Swiss drug manufacturer Novartis in 2001.
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