US creates panel for affairs of Americans illegally detained abroad

A non-governmental panel has appeared in the US, which will look for a solution to the problem of the growing number of Americans whom the country’s authorities consider ‘illegally held’ abroad, Report informs referring to The Wall Street Journal.

The panel, led by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, will explore ways to strengthen current US hostage policy and propose new government strategies to deter further hostage-taking and wrongful detentions.

The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, a group that advocates for the freedom of Americans held hostage abroad and promotes the safety of journalists worldwide, counts 59 US citizens or permanent residents who it deems to be held hostage or wrongfully detained in 15 countries. The government doesn’t disclose specific numbers of wrongfully detained Americans.

The number of US nationals wrongfully held increased 580% over the last decade, compared with the previous decade, the foundation said. During the same period, the average length of captivity for US hostages and detainees increased by 60%, to more than four years on average.