Hostage Incident Management

As the organizations of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) are increasingly called upon to operate in insecure areas, the UNSMS has developed a comprehensive policy, guidelines and training for managing hostage incidents. The policy stipulates that the Organization will not pay ransoms or make any substantial concessions to hostage-takers, nor shall it intervene with Member States concerned to make exchanges for hostages. Ransom or other concessions for the release of a hostage encourages potential hostage-takers and thus increases the danger that other personnel might face in the future.