Establishing a multilateral rapid response mechanism for hostage crises

This paper proposes the creation of an international Rapid Response Mechanism for Hostage Crises. Specifically, this proposal: (i) provides factual background on global hostage issues, (ii) outlines relevant international and national law proscribing the practice of hostage taking, (iii) assesses the current unilateral approach in response to hostage crises and (iv) proposes a multilateral Mechanism to facilitate effective action against hostage-taking. The Mechanism would, among other things: – coordinate targeted, sequential diplomatic and economic sanctions to ensure that when one individual or entity is sanctioned by a Member State in response to hostage taking, it is subject to sanctions by all Mechanism Members, and encourage secondary sanctions; – establish national law enforcement teams to respond to hostage taking – modelled on present and prior hostage response taskforces – that regularly meet with their Mechanism Member State counterparts and coordinate joint operations and charges against hostage takers and their funders and enablers; – coordinate diplomatic responses to address hostage crises as they arise and issue joint statements clearly condemning the hostage takers and demanding the immediate release of the hostages; and – conduct regular meetings to share best practices, spotlight current hostages and offer training to foreign service professionals.