Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, condemned Iran’s state-sponsored hostage-taking as a tactic for diplomatic leverage. Her report outlined 66 cases since 2010, with a focus on the brutal treatment of detainees. She urged for universal jurisdiction and stronger enforcement against these human rights violations, asserting this practice must not be normalized in diplomacy.
On March 6, 2025, Alice Jill Edwards, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, raised alarm about the increasing trend of state-sponsored hostage-taking, particularly citing the Iranian regime. In her report presented to the Human Rights Council, she documented at least 66 instances of such practices in Iran since 2010, predominantly involving foreign and dual nationals detained under questionable charges to exert diplomatic pressure.
Edwards highlighted that journalists, aid workers, academics, business travelers, and human rights advocates are particularly at risk in Iran’s coercive environment. She stated, “Hostage-taking is cruelty – plain and simple – and almost always involves torture.” This condemnation reflects the severe human rights violations that characterize these detentions.
The report illustrated the grave conditions that victims endure, detailing instances of psychological manipulation, physical maltreatment, and lengthy solitary confinement. Survivors have reported horrors such as starvation, mock executions, and sexual torture, leaving lasting scars. “Hostage-taking is an affront to human dignity,” Edwards affirmed, underscoring the moral implications of such state actions.
Edwards categorized Iran within a group of nations, including China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, the UAE, and Venezuela, known for politically motivated detentions. She called for enhanced measures to combat this plight, advocating for the implementation of universal jurisdiction, targeted sanctions, and cases before the International Criminal Court against those responsible for these actions.
In her closing remarks, Edwards warned, “We cannot allow hostage-taking to become an accepted tool of diplomacy or warfare. The time to act is now.” She also urged the UN Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative dedicated to the issue of hostage-taking and recommended that governments designate senior liaison officials to support families of victims in their efforts to secure their loved ones’ release.
The report by Alice Jill Edwards highlights the alarming rise of hostage-taking activities in Iran, specifically how it serves as a tool for diplomatic leverage. The conditions faced by victims are described as inhumane, prompting a call for international action and accountability. The urgency to address these violations reflects a growing concern regarding the integrity of human rights in the face of state-sponsored abuse. Edwards’s recommendations aim to mitigate such practices and support affected families.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org
