Tales of the hostage negotiators

The good news (if there is such a thing as good news when talking about kidnapping) is that the type of kidnapping discussed in this article concentrates on ‘high value’ targets.


‘High value targets’ are generally people travelling for business and linked to a company likely to pay a ransom or have an insurance policy which will pay out.


Kidnap for ‘demanded ransom’ of independent travellers is still relatively rare and avoiding the very high risk areas where kidnap for political reasons is carried out, reduces the risk considerably.


However there has been a significant increase of ‘express kidnapping’, especially in South America. The methodology here is to get the traveller to pay a ‘ransom’ themselves through theft of possessions and by emptying bank accounts and ‘maxing out’ credit cards.


Generally ‘express kidnapping’ targets couples, it allows the kidnappers to use the threat of harm against one member of the group to force the other(s) to concur with demands.


The advice we give to avoid express kidnapping involves understanding the way these groups operate. If you are unfortunate enough to become a victim then co-operation is your only option; don’t provide the kidnappers with an excuse to prove how serious they are about their threats.


Victims of express kidnapping are generally ‘chosen’ rather than an unlucky casualty of opportunists. Like much of our advice geared at avoiding crime, blending-in, being alert, not displaying signs of wealth and not disclosing your plans in detail to strangers, are all steps which reduce the risk.


We also like to idea mentioned in this article that taking the 2nd taxi in line avoids you getting in a vehicle which is targeting you directly; if this embarrasses you, then just wait a few minutes until someone else comes along and takes the first taxi in line or let the person behind you jump the queue.


Statistics can scare, but some are reassuring. Over 95% of kidnap victims are released and the figure is higher where the motivation is financial gain rather than political. So although kidnap is a traumatic and expensive experience, ‘getting home safe’ which is the ultimate goal, is normally achieved.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


To view the original article Click Here
Source – FT
Date – 21st January 2010

Dubai – Woman who reported rape is charged with ‘illegal sex’

To view the original article Click Here

Title – Dubai – Woman who reported rape is charged with ‘illegal sex’
Source – The Times
Date – 11th January 2010

This incident shows the thinly veiled façade in which effective marketing has painted Dubai and UAE as ‘westernised’ destinations.

The very high profile nature of the expensive marketing campaigns used to attract tourists and expats alike seem to indicate that a paradise awaits; little or no mention is made of local laws and most people are unaware of them when they step off the plane in Dubai.

So are these campaigns a lie?

Not really, they show the country as it is on the face of it. They accurately represent the gleaming towers, the luxurious almost decadent nature of the facilities available, the modern infrastructure, the warm welcome given to the tourist dollar and foreign investment, the beautiful beaches and turquoise sea; all are there waiting for visitors.

The problem is more with the visitors themselves, taking marketing at face value and looking no further than that. Even those who do understand some of the laws of the country routinely dismiss them.

Ask an expat in Dubai or someone who has visited about the laws surrounding alcohol consumption, ‘nudity’, relationships outside of marriage and few will know exactly how strict the emirates are on these subjects; but almost without exception those who do will then use the phrases ‘they turn a blind eye to expats and foreigners’ or ‘it’s legal in foreign hotels’ or some other such line.

So is this true, do they turn a blind eye to foreigners?

There is undoubtedly a certain amount of acceptance that these activities happen in foreign hotels and in foreign compounds, but that does not make them legal. Even in hotels and bars where alcohol is licensed and can be consumed, it does not change the fact that as soon as you step out of the door to go home you are once again breaking the very strict laws of being ‘intoxicated outside of a licensed premises’.

The fact is not much has really changed in these countries since the influx of debt and expats built these cities on the sand. Whatever we think of the laws and rules in comparison to the laws we have in the UK, these are the laws of the country and must be obeyed when you are in-country, otherwise you should stay at home.

This disturbing case demonstrates exactly how far Dubai will go to protect its image and again shows that expats are subject to the laws of the country. This is an image which will no doubt be even more strictly guarded following the recent humiliation of the financial crisis and the subsequent bail-out which amongst other things forced a change of name upon the world’s new tallest building, the impressive Burj Dubai; it had to be renamed the Burj Khalifa in honour of Dubai’s benefactor.

This story about an attack on a foreigner does not fit into Dubai’s multi-million dollar marketing plan; this attack is not symptomatic of Dubai, in general it is a very safe country to visit. However as this case shows the authorities are never shy to use their laws to the full extent against foreigners, in this case clearly to detract from the original crime, no doubt in the hope the case will be dropped and disappear from the ‘media’s radar’.

In the same edition of this paper were two other Dubai stories, one featured prominently the base jump from the top of the Burj Khalifa; the other the acquittal of a member of the ruling family accused of torture. The acquittal suggested he had been ‘drugged and therefore had no idea what he was doing…’; the video of the alleged incident is I warn you very disturbing.

The point is not to have a go at Dubai, they are only acting the way they have acted for hundreds of years, their laws are different, their way of life is different and it’s not for me to say (in the context of travel safety) if it is right or wrong.

The point is, when we travel, like it or not, we must respect our hosts, their laws and their way of life. When you plan for safe travel don’t just accept the marketing campaigns and pretty pictures, understand the culture and look past the gloss. Always show respect for your hosts and don’t assume you can behave as you behave in the UK; in many countries some of the behaviour we ‘accept’ and ‘tolerate’ here is considered very disrespectful and even illegal.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety & Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.com.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.