“For the first time in my life, I have shed ‘survivor’ or ‘victim’ as my identity. I was having to survive on being a ‘survivor’, because that’s how I was making money, speaking about what happened to me. Now I… Read More ›
kidnapping
aid workers and journalists at the frontline of conflict
Events over the past week have offered a sobering reminder of the risks to journalists around the world. They started with the murder of James Foley in Syria, the video of which closed with a threat to the life of… Read More ›
happy birthday FARC
On Tuesday, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) turns 50. Formed by Pedro Antonio Marin Marin aka Marulanda on 27 May 1964, they have been embroiled in one of South America’s deadliest battles for control of the land, the… Read More ›
reintegration of former hostages and former extremists – are there lessons to learn?
My interest in security was sparked when I was at university and my beloved uncle Phil was kidnapped in Colombia. Suddenly, I was thrust into a world of private security companies and response consultants, and felt like an extra on… Read More ›
piracy in somalia
There is a great piece in today’s Telegraph magazine on the rise of piracy and kidnapping off the coast of Somalia. It states that: Piracy and kidnapping have risen: International Maritime Bureau statistics show that in 2006 there were 10… Read More ›
the threat of kidnapping continues
It is sad to hear the news that a British woman has been kidnapped in Kenya. Her husband was killed, before she was taken away over the weekend. There are unconfirmed reports that the couple are David and Judith Tebbutt,… Read More ›
