Though I don’t intend to dominate this blog with Colombia-only stories, the news from that country keeps coming strong…
Earlier this week, FARC rebels issued a video appeal from army corporal Pablo Moncayo, whose release from more than a decade of captivity was promised earlier this year but railroaded after President Uribe sought the release of all hostages simultaneously. The young soldier’s weathered face was nearly unrecognisable to his parents, and though he claimed to fear for his safety he also said he has not lost faith that he will be returned to his family. The video was handed to Senator Piedad Cordoba, who claims that Moncayo and another hostage – Joshua Daniel Calvo – made be freed within a month’s time.
And in Quebec, where she received an award from Reporters San Frontieres Canada, Ingrid Betancourt reiterated her call for FARC to open the door to dialogue and free all remaining hostages.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of a hostage crisis that shaped world history. On 4 November 1979, students in favour of the Islamic revolution in Iran seized the American Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage in the process. The ensuing 444 days of their captivity made headlines every night and severed diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Over the years, numerous hostages from that fateful incident have come forward with their stories. Now John Limbert joins them, but rather than provide a straight memoir, Limbert’s new book is focused on future dialogue with Iran and the need to move beyond historical grievances. Negotiating with Iran: Wrestling the Ghosts of History also emphasizes the importance of negotiations for both Iranians and Americans.
On the day when an ex-FARC rebel was extradited to the United States on supplying drugs to Americans and arms to rebels, President Alvaro Uribe appears to have softened his position on negotiating with the FARC for the release of 24 hostages. Uribe revoked his earlier stance of an all or nothing release to state that the hostages could be freed one by one. This poses good news for opposition Senator Piedad Cordoba, who is the preferred negotiation contact for the rebels and will assist in securing the men’s freedom.
The Somali sector of Al Qaeda has issued its terms for the release of a French security official, which includes the removal of French and African Union troops from Somalia, and the removal of French warships from off Somali waters. The French government has rejected the demands, saying it will continue to support the transitional government formed with the will of the people. The French agent is among more than half a dozen Westerners still held hostage in Somalia.
“Angelo”, a FARC rebel alleged to have been one of the jailers who held Ingrid Betancourt and several other high profile persons hostage in Colombia, has turned himself over to the authorities. Special protection is being offered to Angelo in exchange for information regarding the whereabouts of the remaining captives. At the same time, the Colombian government is issuing an all-or-nothing demand to FARC, saying it wants all hostages freed at once rather than a steady trickle. Several opposition members and human rights groups criticise this approach, saying it has already jeopardised the promised release of two hostages who remain in FARC hands until negotiations can proceed.
A Russian doctor abducted by tribesmen near the Yemeni capital Thursday is free after a security operation secured his release. The doctor was seized in an attempt by a tribal leader to negotiate the freedom for the nephew of a tribal chief, who is in detention. Yemeni authorities are still trying to uncover the fate of six other foreigners who were kidnapped in June and whose three companions (two Germans and a South Korean) were found dead.
In the interim, there have been several other incidents, including the kidnapping of 15 Yemeni Red Cross workers in mid-August, which fortunately ended in their being held only a few hours. Analysts fear, however, that instability in Yemen continues to play a role in ongoing human rights violations and could lead to the country becoming another failed state.
The rescue of a New York Times reporter kidnapped in Afghanistan last Saturday has been called into question after his Afghan translator, a British serviceman and two civilians died in the operation. Stephen Farrell and Sultan Munadi had travelled to Kunduz to report on the aftermath of an explosion when they were seized by Taliban militants. On Wednesday an operation by British troops led to a brutal firefight, in which Munadi was shot dead and Farrell was freed. Farrell has gone on record saying his kidnappers were “hopelessly inept” and praising Munadi’s work. Some military members have questioned Farrell’s actions, saying reporters who travel to dangerous areas put not only their lives but others’ at risk.
Children are not immune to hostage dramas, as has been evidenced numerous times in this blog. This week marked the 5th anniversary of the Beslan school hostage drama which left hundreds dead. The BBC has produced a documentary that interviews some of the young hostage survivors, which airs throughout the week. Especially powerful is the testimony of 13-year-old Chermen, who tells viewers that he has experienced more that most people and wants to draw on his experience to serve a higher purpose.
In the Philippines, an art therapy course in Mindanao is helping children cope with their emotions following exposure to kidnapping and murder perpetuated by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Administered in a primary school daily for a week, the video-link art therapy course encourages young survivors to illustrate their experiences and hopes for the future.
Just as I left the country, new videos emerged in Colombia showing nine hostages still being held by the FARC. The videos, said to have been filmed in April this year, were given to Senator Piedad Cordoba, who has been working tirelessly to secure the release of hostages for several years. Though they brought welcome news to family members, the videos also emphasised the tragedy of the hostage’s situation, many of whom have been held for more than a decade. “What is happening, are we not human anymore?” one soldier asks in his testimony.
You may also have heard about the kidnapping of two peacekeepers in Darfur over the weekend. Rather than go into the details (which can be read here), I’d like to direct you to the insightful commentary Michael Bear offers over on change.org, especially on how the rise in kidnapping in the southern Sudan is impacting on relief operations and humanitarian work in the area.
Posted by radiocaptivity 
Posted by radiocaptivity 
Posted by radiocaptivity 
