A/RES/61/172
Recalling all relevant resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights on the
subject, including its most recent, resolution 2005/31 of 19 April 2005, 5 in which it
condemned the taking of any person as a hostage, as well as the statement by the
President of the Human Rights Council of 30 June 2006 on the same subject, 6
Concerned that, despite the efforts of the international community, acts of
hostage-taking in different forms and manifestations, including, inter alia, those
committed by terrorists and armed groups, continue to take place and have even
increased in many regions of the world,
Appealing for the humanitarian action of humanitarian organizations, in
particular the International Committee of the Red Cross and its delegates, to be
respected, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the
Additional Protocols thereto of 1977, 7
Recognizing that hostage-taking calls for resolute, firm and concerted efforts
on the part of the international community in order, in strict conformity with
international human rights standards, to bring such abhorrent practices to an end,
Reaffirms that hostage-taking, wherever and by whomever committed, is
1.
a serious crime aimed at the destruction of human rights and is, under any
circumstances, unjustifiable;
2.
Condemns all acts of hostage-taking, anywhere in the world;
3.
Demands that all hostages be released immediately and without any
preconditions, and expresses its solidarity with the victims of hostage-taking;
4.
Calls upon States to take all necessary measures, in accordance with
relevant provisions of international humanitarian law and international human rights
standards, to prevent, combat and punish acts of hostage-taking, including by
strengthening international cooperation in this field;
5.
Decides to remain seized of the matter.
81st plenary meeting
19 December 2006
_______________
5
See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 3 and corrigendum
(E/2005/23 and Corr.1), chap. II, sect. A.
6
See Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-first Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/61/53), part one,
chap. II, sect. C.
7
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1125, Nos. 17512 and 17513.
2