Excellencies, dear colleagues,
I would like to first thank Hostage Aid Worldwide and everyone who helped organize this event, which is, unfortunately, tragically timely.
Before we discuss numbers, trends, and responses, let me speak to the heart of the matter.
Regardless of motivations, tactics, and geopolitics, hostage taking is a fundamental, egregious human rights violation.
The Special Rapporteur on torture was clear in her recent report: hostage taking is physical and psychological torture for the individuals taken, and their loved ones.
And it has a lasting impact on families, communities, even societies at large.
Hostage taking is a clear violation of the fundamental values embedded in the Charter of the United Nations. And of the basic principle of humanity and decency that guide our work.
And it is not just a matter of principles.
It is a daily reality for our staff.
Over the last few years, we have had an average of 10 UN staff and family members abducted every year.
Our national staff carry the heaviest burden.
They are the most exposed, the most vulnerable to hostage taking.
Recent incidents in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, and Haiti show that they are at risk everywhere, during road movements, or in their private homes.
In Yemen, there are also 44 UN personnel unlawfully detained in hostage like conditions by the De Facto authorities, as pawns in a regional conflict.
Let me clear.
In all these places, the UN’s women and men who are affected have one agenda – an agenda for humanity.
Their sole work is delivering assistance to those in greater need.
For me as Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security at the United Nations, hostage taking is one of my greatest concerns.
Personally, it is also an issue that I have been engaged with even before my time at the UN, dating back to my responsibilities in the Canadian federal police.
Since then, I have borne witness to this heinous crime, but I do struggle to find the words to describe, yet alone address the unspeakable pain that hostages and their loved ones experience.
I must also emphasize the operational impact.
By abducting our personnel, or through the measures we must take to protect ourselves, hostage taking also affects our ability to deliver aid to those who need it the most.
It impacts our ability to mediate between warring parties.
Exactly at a time when the world needs this assistance more than ever.
In that sense, it is also an assault on these populations, even if the hostage takers at time pretend to represent their interests.
And we know that in fact, this is precisely their aim.
To hurt innocent individuals, and to inflict pain on populations - purely for ideological, military or monetary gain.
Hostage takers forget or conveniently ignore a fact:
While their actions are often intended to project strength. In reality, hostage taking reveals weakness, desperation and a fear of dialogue.
As the Secretary-General has often and clearly said: there is never any justification for hostage taking.
There is nothing noble about it. No where, never.
Allow me to end with a few important messages.
For us, at the United Nations, hostage taking is now a real risk we must face. And everywhere it is a risk, we will find a way to stay.
Because our mission, along with our partners, is to go to dangerous places and be present for those who need our help.
To do so, we will continue to invest in anticipating risks, in negotiating safer access, and in equipping our personnel with training and resources they need to survive in these contexts.
Because of the values we hold dear and the realities we face, we will always stand in solidarity with all hostages and their loved ones everywhere in the world.
Finally, I urge you.
We must stand united, beyond and despite political differences, to condemn it with moral courage, a clear voice, and through meaningful actions.
We will do our part.
We stand ready to work with, support and share our experiences with all those who act tirelessly for their release and to end this barbaric practice.
We will do so in a spirit of humanity and respect for all human life, away from politics, and free of ideological agendas.
Thank you and I wish you a productive discussion today.
