UN Special Rapporteur Alice Jill Edwards condemned Iran for using hostage-taking as diplomatic leverage, citing at least 66 instances since 2010. Her report highlights severe abuses faced by detainees and calls for global action and accountability against such practices. Edwards urges for a Special Representative on hostage-taking to be appointed and emphasizes the need for informed communication with victims’ families.
On March 6, 2025, Alice Jill Edwards, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, condemned the Iranian regime for its increasing use of hostage-taking as a means of diplomatic leverage. In her report to the Human Rights Council, she revealed that Iran has been involved in at least 66 instances of state hostage-taking since 2010, specifically targeting foreign and dual nationals under dubious charges.
Edwards highlighted that individuals such as journalists, aid workers, academics, and human rights defenders are at heightened risk of detention in Iran. She stated, “Hostage-taking is cruelty – plain and simple – and almost always involves torture,” emphasizing the severe implications of such actions on victims.
The report detailed that detainees face extensive psychological and physical abuse, including prolonged solitary confinement. Survivors have recounted experiences of starvation, mock executions, and sexual torture, leading to lasting psychological trauma. Edwards remarked, “Hostage-taking is an affront to human dignity,” underscoring the inhumane treatment employed to pressure other nations for concessions.
Iran joined a list comprising China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, the UAE, and Venezuela, identified by Edwards as engaged in political detentions motivated by state interests. She urged for the implementation of stricter enforcement measures including criminalization and accountability, calling for universal jurisdiction and targeted sanctions against offenders.
Edwards proclaimed, “We cannot allow hostage-taking to become an accepted tool of diplomacy or warfare. The time to act is now,” advocating for the appointment of a Special Representative on hostage-taking by the UN Secretary-General. She also recommended that governments ensure families of hostages are kept informed about efforts to secure their loved ones’ release.
In conclusion, Alice Jill Edwards’ report highlights the alarming trend of state hostage-taking, with Iran identified as a significant perpetrator. The inhumane treatment of detainees emphasizes the urgent need for global action against this violation of human rights. The call for accountability and the establishment of a Special Representative on hostage-taking may provide necessary pathways for combating this issue and protecting vulnerable individuals.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org
