3 FAM 4140
GUIDELINES FOR PERSONNEL TAKEN HOSTAGE
(CT:PER-944; 05-15-2019)
(Office of Origin: DS/MGT/PPD)
3 FAM 4141 AuthoritIES
(CT:PER-925; 09-24-2018)
(State/USAID/USAGM/Commerce/Foreign Service Corps-USDA)
(Applies to Foreign Service and Civil Service Employees)
This chapter is issued under the following statutory authorities:
(1) State Only:
(a) 5 U.S.C. 301;
(b) 22 U.S.C. 2651a; and
(c) Section 206 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (or 22 U.S.C. 3926).
(2) USAID Only:
(a) Section 202(a) (1) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (or 22 U.S.C. 3922); and
(b) Section 206 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (or 22 U.S.C. 3926).
(3) USAGM Only:
(a) Section 202(a) (1) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (or 22 U.S.C. 3922(a) (1)); and
(b) Section 206 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (or 22 U.S.C. 3926).
(4) Agriculture Only:
(a) Section 202(a) (2) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (or 22 U.S.C. 3922(a) (2)); and
(b) Section 206 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (or 22 U.S.C. 3926).
(5) Commerce Only:
(a) Section 202(a) (3) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (or 22 U.S.C. 3922(a) (3)); and
(b) Section 206 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (or 22 U.S.C. 3926).
3 FAM 4142 Definitions
(CT:PER-925; 09-24-2018)
(State/USAID/USAGM/Commerce/Foreign Service Corps-USDA)
(Applies to Foreign Service and Civil Service Employees)
Agencies mean the Department of State, USAID, USAGM, Agriculture and Commerce.
U.S. Government personnel mean employees of the agencies, both Foreign Service (except for locally employed staff and non-U.S. citizen consular agents), and Civil Service, serving abroad, including employees on detail.
3 FAM 4143 Guidelines for U.S. Government Personnel Taken Hostage
(CT:PER-944; 05-15-2019)
(State/USAID/USAGM/Commerce/Foreign Service Corps-USDA)
(Applies to Foreign Service and Civil Service Employees)
a. The U.S. Government will make every effort to recover U.S. Government personnel who are victims of a hostage taking incident while serving abroad.
b. Individuals who are taken hostage should be aware that their captors may seek to exploit their knowledge of sensitive information to the detriment of the United States or their fellow hostages. Individuals should be mindful that whatever they say may be used to mislead or punish their colleagues, and that information obtained from one captive may be used when interrogating another. Captured individuals should not divulge classified or sensitive information and should not discuss sensitive aspects of the work of any fellow hostages.
c. Individuals should be aware that active members of the U.S. Armed Services who are taken captive are subject to different legal authorities and organizational policies when they are captured, due to their possible status as Prisoners of War. For additional information please reference Executive Order 10631.
d. If detained with other captives, it is essential to avoid internal conflicts within the group and maintain a unified approach to the captors (e.g., group agrees not to discuss religion, politics or the economy with the captors).
e. While awaiting rescue, individuals taken hostage should make an effort to:
(1) Eat and drink to preserve their health and seek opportunities to remain mentally active;
(2) Circumstances permitting, build rapport with their captors by humanizing themselves;
(3) Leave evidence of their presence in each location (such as strands of hair, fingerprints, blood, bits of fingernails, etc.); and
(4) Maintain faith in their individual beliefs and have confidence in the efforts of their family and the U.S. Government to obtain their release.
f. If asked to produce evidence of proof of life, such as a photo or a video, it is advisable to do so as it confirms the individual’s continued survival to family and possibly the U.S. Government entities working on your release, and aids in the negotiation process.
g. The decision to attempt escape rests with the individuals concerned based on their judgment, environment, and level of threat. However, the decision should be consistent with the considerations set forth above.
h. In the event of a recovery operation, individuals awaiting rescue should drop to the ground, ensure their hands and face are visible, and identify themselves as American citizens.
i. For more information, Department personnel can follow this link to the High Threat Security Overseas Seminar: Abduction: Prevention, Preparation and Response for Individuals.
j. Hard and fast rules are not always helpful and the U.S. Government recognizes that the ability of individuals to resist extreme pressure differs. But, to the extent possible, one must help one’s colleagues and avoid exploitation. Sound judgment is essential.
3 FAM 4144 THROUGH 4149 UNASSIGNED