UN Human Rights Council. The specialist for torture calls for immediate release of hostages around the world Human rights ~ 60 > Today the UN specialist for torture Alice Jill Edwards warned that the number of cases of taking hostages of both states and non -state entities is growing, and the hostages themselves are used as “exchange coins” in international relations. “taking hostages is cruelty,” said Edwards, adding that he almost always implies torture. 60 > today in Geneva Edwards presented her new report to the Human Rights Council. She called on the international community to immediately take measures to put an end to this inhuman practice, bring guilty to justice, ensure the release of hostages and provide full support to them and their families. “I heard terrible stories from the victims,” Edwards said. Many were contained in the fetids, in the jungle, basements, tunnels-without hope for any protection or legal procedures. 62 ~In her report, she noted that the capture of hostages by the state occurs with increasing regularity. This, in particular, is about the detention of foreign citizens or persons with dual citizenship of fabricated or exaggerated accusations to obtain diplomatic influence. The expert called states such as China, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, united Arab emirates and Venezuela, as those involved in these politically motivated detentions. “At the same time, armed and terrorist groups continue to violently abduct the peaceful inhabitants, committing peaceful inhabitants, committing peaceful inhabitants. Mass captures of hostages, such as abductions from the side of Boko Haram and the abduction carried out by Hamas and other armed groups on October 7, 2023 in Israel, ”said Edwards. ~ 60 > 60 ~ Blockquote >> Capture of hostages – this is an insult to human Advantages she noted that victims are often subjected to psychological coercion, physical violence and a long single conclusion. Some survivors reported hunger, imitation of executions and sexual torture. “The capture of hostages is an insult to human dignity,” she said. 60 > special speaker emphasized that victims and their families should receive long -term psychological, medical and financial assistance. “They should be legally recognized as victims of torture,” said Edwards. 60 > “We cannot allow the capture of hostages to become a generally accepted tool for diplomacy or war. It is time to act, ”she added. in her report, the expert on torture called for criminalization of the capture of hostages and holding the perpetrators accountable. In this context, she emphasized the potential of universal jurisdiction, targeted sanctions and investigations of the International Criminal Court (MUS). ~ 60 > special speaker also called on the Secretary General to appoint a special representative on the issue of capture hostages. ~ 60 > special speakers are part of the so -called special procedures for the Human Rights Council. They are not employees of the UN and do not depend on any government or organization. They work in personal quality and do not receive a salary for their work.