hostage-taking

Hostage-taking is the practice of seizing individuals to secure the fulfillment of an agreement or to prevent violations of the law of war. Historically, this involved holding individuals, often the sons of princes, to ensure loyalty or as security for treaties, with punishments or death for non-compliance.1

While the practice of taking hostages for treaty security became obsolete by the 18th century, it resurfaced in modern wars as a reprisal to ensure the enemy's adherence to the law of war, particularly concerning prisoners and the wounded. The Geneva Conventions of 1949 forbid reprisals against prisoners of war, granting them the status of prisoners of war. Kidnapping, a related offense, involves the unlawful seizure and detention of a person, often for ransom, involuntary servitude, or to extort concessions from a government. Modern laws address kidnapping, especially when it involves transporting victims across state lines or for extortion purposes.12