Appendix A: Current Needs, Requests, and Recommendations from Hostage Participants

This appendix presents a list of current needs, requests, and recommendations expressed by hostages and their families. This list of needs, requests, and recommendations are not listed in order of importance but are grouped by category. Although not all the needs necessarily fall under the purview of the government, they are listed here for reference. The inclusion of a need, request, or recommendation does not necessarily mean it was unanimously supported by participants.

The requests and recommendations expressed by hostages and their families in terms of the hostage policy and recovery strategy are:

• For family members to receive security clearances—limited secret (read only).
• For the U.S. government to create more diplomatic ties with countries holding loved ones.
• For advanced notice of proposed recovery options.
• For improved access to high-level U.S. government officials.
• For creative compassionate reintegration support.
• For the Department of Justice to grant hostage negotiators and other parties involved in negotiations immunity.
• For the U.S. government to elevate the authority of the director of the HRFC.
• For the U.S. government to find creative ways to navigate their geopolitical constraints.
• For the U.S. government to improve relationships with foreign governments holding loved ones—and communication on a humanitarian level.
• For the U.S. to apply pressure on foreign governments to acknowledge that they are holding U.S. citizens.
• For the U.S. government to provide families a step-by-step recovery plan.

The requests and recommendations expressed by hostages and their families in terms of communication, information sharing, and government transparency are:

• For the declassification of more information.
• For family access to secure lines at local FBI field offices to speak with U.S. officials—allowing U.S. officials to share more information over the phone.
• For the U.S. government to allow more information sharing with third-party hostage negotiation teams.
• For complete, full, and timely access to all information and activities pertaining to cases.
• For more honesty and transparency regarding what the U.S. government can and cannot do.
• For established criteria to determine if a family member can be trusted with information.
• For better communication between the SPEHA’s office and HRFC concerning hostage cases.
• For the SPEHA’s office to facilitate declassifying information the same way that the HRFC does.

The requests and recommendations expressed by hostages and their families in terms of accountability for hostage-takers are:

• For more clarity on what the U.S. government is doing to pursue kidnappers.
• For the identification of the location of loved ones’ remains.
• For the prosecution of captors and bringing them to justice.

The requests and recommendations expressed by hostages and their families in terms of media support are:

• For more support getting a loved one’s name out to the public including addressing significant challenges getting media attention during the current political climate.
• For assistance in starting a media campaign.
• Upon the family’s approval, for the U.S. government to speak publicly about a loved one’s case.

The requests and recommendations expressed by hostages and their families in terms of the physical and mental health of the former hostage are:

• For mental health support from someone who has high level trauma experience and knows how to deal with challenges from being in captivity.
• For access to better psychological services outside the framework of the U.S. government.
• For clarification on how long the FBI’s Victim Services Division will be providing support.
• For more information regarding what type of mental health support is available for hostages and their families.
• For the identification of available resources for hostages’ children.
• For more support dealing with depression and anxiety of family members.
• For better connections between hostage families. Community is important for family members dealing with the stress and isolation.

The requests and recommendations expressed by hostages and their families in terms of financial guidance are:

• For resources to help with financial solvency in order to maintain a stable life after captivity.
• For support finding employment after captivity.
• For more information about what type of financial support is available to hostages and their families.
• For the IRS to provide criteria for someone who has been arbitrarily detained in order to relieve penalties.
• For financial support for travel to Washington, D.C.

The requests and recommendations expressed by hostages and their families in terms of NGO assistance are:

• For continued additional pressure on the U.S. government advocating for the needs of individuals held hostage abroad.
• For continued assistance with communicating with HRFC and FBI’s Victim Services Division.
• For continued advice and moral support.
• For connection of families with someone who has experience dealing with the trauma associated with captivity.

Other general requests and recommendations are:

• For security and protection.
• For access to the Rewards for Justice program for a loved one’s case.
• For the provision of former hostages with official documentation to prove they were held hostage or arbitrarily detained.
• For more empathy and compassion from U.S. officials.
• For more trauma related training for U.S. officials who work directly with returning captives.
• For proof of life.
• For understanding of families’s need for privacy and desire not to be used as political pawns.
• For Congress to pay more attention to hostage cases and put pressure on the U.S. government.