hostage

A hostage is a person seized or detained against their will by captors to compel action, influence decisions, or secure concessions from a target. Hostages are commonly civilians or noncombatants, and they may be held in criminal kidnapping, political or terrorist acts, or during armed conflicts as leverage in negotiations or deterrence.

International law treats hostage-taking as illegal. The Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits taking hostages and requires humane treatment of those detained; Additional Protocol I and customary international law condemn hostage-taking as a war crime. In national jurisdictions, hostage-taking is typically prosecuted as kidnapping, terrorism, or related offenses. The International Criminal Court recognizes hostagetaking as a war crime when committed in armed conflict, and it can constitute a crime against humanity in broader circumstances.

Contexts and motives for hostage-taking vary. In wars and insurgencies, hostages may be used to deter attacks, exchange prisoners, or force political concessions. In civilian criminal settings, hostages are usually seized for ransom or to influence criminal or political outcomes. Tactics range from abductions and confinement to high-risk siege situations, with safety of the hostages as a primary concern for authorities.

Responses to hostage situations involve negotiation, law enforcement, and, when necessary, specialized crisis response or military intervention. The goal is safe release, minimal harm, and accountability for perpetrators. Outcomes include negotiated or forced release, ransom payments, prisoner exchanges, or tragic loss of life, depending on the circumstances and actions of involved parties.

Notable examples have occurred in both wartime and criminal contexts, and hostage-taking remains an ongoing challenge for international law, security forces, and diplomatic efforts.