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The FCDO’s approach to state level hostage situations

Inquiry

This inquiry will examine the processes and approaches taken by the UK Government in securing the release of the hostages in Iran, and other similar situations. It will assess the likely impact their approach may have on deterring other states from using this tactic and will consider options for multilateral action to further deter such behaviour.

Read the call for evidence for more details about the inquiry

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Monday 23 May 2022.

Work news

FCDO must be willing to listen on state hostage taking

FCDO must be willing to listen on state hostage taking

20 October 2023

Foreign Affairs Committee publishes “defensive” Government response

Government responds to Foreign Affairs Committee report on Stolen Years: Combatting State Hostage Diplomacy

Abductor states are weaponising citizenship of British nationals for geopolitical ends

The Foreign Affairs Committee publishes report into state hostage diplomacy.

Private Session: The FCDO’s approach to state level hostage situations

Foreign Affairs Committee holds private meeting with victims of state hostage taking

19 January 2023

Committee Corridor: State hostage-taking - can Parliament help?

Richard Ratcliffe, long time campaigner for the release of his wife Nazanin from prison in Iran, reflects on whether the family’s case ‘moved the dial fundamentally’ for state hostages

State hostage taking experts to give evidence to Foreign Affairs Committee

Foreign Affairs Committee hears from non-governmental organisations and international human rights lawyer

Former Foreign Office ministers, Jeremy Hunt MP and Alistair Burt, questioned by MPs

The session is part of the Committee's inquiry into the FCDO's approach to state level hostage situations

Inquiry into the handling of state level hostage situations announced

The inquiry will focus on the challenges that the FCDO faces when handling countries which use extra-judicial detention as a tool for diplomacy.

Contact us

Email: fac@parliament.uk
Phone: 020 7219 4050 (general enquiries) | 020 7219 2996 or facmedia@parliament.uk (media enquiries)
Address: Foreign Affairs Committee | House of Commons | London | SW1A 0AA