Episode 6: 'Kidnapped by mistake'
Kidnappings are becoming more commonplace in Chechnya and closer to home for MSF as various staff members are held for questioning. At the start of 2001, a key member of the team in the North Caucasus is taken hostage and questions are asked as to whether there's a causal link between MSF’s decision to speak out in the media and the kidnapping? MSF is faced with the following dilemma: should the organisation speak out in the media to create visibility and hopefully bring their colleague some much-needed protection? Or should MSF be as discreet as possible to avoid a rise in the hostage’s so-called ‘market value’? Is it wise to take active steps to secure the hostage's release, such as publicly denouncing the responsibilities, negligence or even complicity of the government controlling the territory where the kidnapping took place?
This podcast series is written, produced and mixed by Andrea Rangecroft. Interviews are recorded by Lucy Dearlove.
Editorial direction is from Nancy Barrett, Laurence Binet and Rebecca Golden Timsar.
The narrator is Nick Owen.
Extracts are read by Didi Bellos and Matthew Wade.
The voiceovers are by Lucy Dearlove and Mark Fairclough.
The music is by Lost Harmonies and Peter Sendberg.
Photo credits: © Eddy Van Wessel
A special thanks to Dr Alain Devaux.
This podcast is adapted from the case study “War Crimes and Politics of Terror in Chechnya, 1994 – 2004”. Over 9 episodes, it explores the challenges and dilemmas MSF faced during the two wars in Chechnya between 1994 and 2004. These wars raised many questions for MSF on when and how the organisation should speak out publicly about the war crimes its staff witness and the chilling effects of the politics of terror on the Chechen people.
Through MSF press releases, internal reports, speeches, and news articles of the time as well as eyewitness testimonies from MSF staff, this podcast series examines the challenges MSF faced when access to those in need was repeatedly blocked by the Russian authorities, forcing international staff to operate and train Caucasus teams at a distance. Later on, when staff members were kidnapped, MSF was confronted with a new dilemma - whether to raise a voice or lay low until their colleagues were released?
To read the full study and discover other case studies, please go to our website: msf.org/speakingout
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