HOSTAGE TAKING Meaning and
Definition
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Hostage taking refers to the act of seizing individuals, groups, or sometimes entire populations, in order to exert control, pressure, or achieve specific goals. In such circumstances, hostages are commonly held against their will as a means of leverage or bargaining in negotiation processes. Hostage taking can occur in various contexts, including criminal acts, acts of terrorism, warfare, or political conflicts.
The primary objective of hostage taking is to gain advantages for the hostage-takers, typically in the form of concessions, such as the release of imprisoned accomplices, financial ransom, political recognition, or specific policy changes. This coercive tactic aims to manipulate and intimidate the authorities, organizations, or nations involved by placing the lives and wellbeing of the hostages at risk.
Hostage taking often involves significant psychological and physical abuse inflicted upon the hostages to induce fear and exert control. The resulting trauma and distress experienced by the hostages and their loved ones can have long-lasting consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological issues.
International law categorizes hostage taking as a severe violation of human rights, as it disregards the principle of inviolability and infringes upon individuals' fundamental freedoms and protections. Consequently, hostage taking is universally condemned, and countermeasures, such as negotiation tactics, specialized law enforcement operations, and international cooperation, are employed to rescue hostages and apprehend hostage-takers in order to restore peace and safety.
Common Misspellings for HOSTAGE TAKING
- gostage taking
- bostage taking
- nostage taking
- jostage taking
- uostage taking
- yostage taking
- histage taking
- hkstage taking
- hlstage taking
- hpstage taking
- h0stage taking
- h9stage taking
- hoatage taking
- hoztage taking
- hoxtage taking
- hodtage taking
- hoetage taking
- howtage taking
- hosrage taking
- hosfage taking
Etymology of HOSTAGE TAKING
The word "hostage taking" is a compound formed by combining the words "hostage" and "taking". Here is the etymology of both terms:
1. Hostage: The word "hostage" originated from the Old French term "ostege" in the 13th century, which means "person given as security or hostage". It further derives from the Medieval Latin word "hostaticum", referring to a state of being in custody. Over time, it evolved from its Latin roots, where "hostis" meant "enemy" and "hostiare" meant "to pledge".
2. Taking: The word "taking" can be traced back to the Middle English word "taken", which means "to grasp, seize, or capture". It is derived from the Old English word "tacan", which has similar meanings.
