A hostage is a person left as a pledge or surety for the performance of the articles or conditions of a treaty. Since the 19th century the taking or giving of hostages has been scarcely known in the relations of modern communities except in criminal activities, but was formerly almost universal, and many questions in the law of nations arose out of the practice. If the stipulated terms were observed the hostages were returned on each side, but if the terms were violated or evaded the hostages might be put to death. Research Hostage
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Abbreviations
General Information
Research Hostage
