Difference between revisions of "Hostage"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | [ | + | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French, from ''hoste'' |
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_century 13th Century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1a : a [[person]] held by one party in a [[conflict]] as a pledge pending the fulfillment of an [[agreement]] | *1a : a [[person]] held by one party in a [[conflict]] as a pledge pending the fulfillment of an [[agreement]] | ||
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A person who seizes one or more hostages is known as a hostage-taker; if the hostages are present voluntarily, then the receiver is known as a [[host]]. | A person who seizes one or more hostages is known as a hostage-taker; if the hostages are present voluntarily, then the receiver is known as a [[host]]. | ||
| − | Taking hostages is today considered a [[crime]] or an act of [[terrorism]]; the use of the word in this sense of [ | + | Taking hostages is today considered a [[crime]] or an act of [[terrorism]]; the use of the word in this sense of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidnapping abductee] became current only in the 1970s. The criminal activity is known as [[kidnapping]]. An acute situation where hostages are kept in a building or a vehicle that has been taken over by armed terrorists or common criminals is often called a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostage_crisis hostage crisis]. |
| − | The [ | + | The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Convention_against_the_Taking_of_Hostages International Convention against the Taking of Hostages]—which prohibits hostage taking and [[mandates]] the punishment of hostage takers—was adopted by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_General_Assembly United Nations General Assembly] in 1979. The treaty came into force in 1983 and has been ratified by all but 24 of the member states of the United Nations. |
| − | Hostage taking is still often politically [[motivated]] or intended to raise a ransom or to enforce an exchange against other hostages or even condemned convicts. However in some countries hostage taking for [[profit]] has become an "industry", ransom often being the only demand.[ | + | Hostage taking is still often politically [[motivated]] or intended to raise a ransom or to enforce an exchange against other hostages or even condemned convicts. However in some countries hostage taking for [[profit]] has become an "industry", ransom often being the only demand.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostage] |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*'''''[[Kidnapping]]''''' | *'''''[[Kidnapping]]''''' | ||
[[Category: Law]] | [[Category: Law]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:16, 13 December 2020
Origin
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from hoste
Definitions
- b : a person taken by force to secure the taker's demands
- 2: one that is involuntarily controlled by an outside influence
Description
A hostage is a person or entity which is held by one of two belligerent parties to the other or seized as security for the carrying out of an agreement, or as a preventive measure against certain acts of war. However, in contemporary usage, it means someone who is seized by a criminal abductor in order to compel another party such as a relative, employer, law enforcement, or government to act, or refrain from acting, in a particular way, often under threat of serious physical harm to the hostage(s) after expiration of an ultimatum.
A person who seizes one or more hostages is known as a hostage-taker; if the hostages are present voluntarily, then the receiver is known as a host.
Taking hostages is today considered a crime or an act of terrorism; the use of the word in this sense of abductee became current only in the 1970s. The criminal activity is known as kidnapping. An acute situation where hostages are kept in a building or a vehicle that has been taken over by armed terrorists or common criminals is often called a hostage crisis.
The International Convention against the Taking of Hostages—which prohibits hostage taking and mandates the punishment of hostage takers—was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979. The treaty came into force in 1983 and has been ratified by all but 24 of the member states of the United Nations.
Hostage taking is still often politically motivated or intended to raise a ransom or to enforce an exchange against other hostages or even condemned convicts. However in some countries hostage taking for profit has become an "industry", ransom often being the only demand.[1]
