NCJ Number
55093
Journal
Revue de droit penal et de criminologie Volume: 58 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 749-755
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE PROS AND CONS OF RANSOM INSURANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO FEAR THEY WILL BE KIDNAPPED OR TAKEN HOSTAGE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE GROWTH OF TERRORISM, TOGETHER WITH THE TAKING OF HOSTAGES, CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE TO SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AS THESE ACTIONS ARE A THREAT TO THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN LIFE AND PUBLIC SECURITY. CITIZENS WHO FEEL THREATENED AND SUBSCRIBE TO RANSOM INSURANCE CAN BE REGARDED AS EXERCISING THEIR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS BUT ARE TAKING THEIR PERSONAL PROTECTION INTO THEIR OWN HANDS. PUBLIC OFFICIALS MUST ADMIT THAT ALTHOUGH IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE NATION AND ITS CITIZENS, THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ORGANIZE AN EFFICIENT CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR TERRORIST KIDNAPPING. FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, RANSOM INSURANCE MAY PROVIDE PROTECTION; NEVERTHELESS, THIS INSURANCE REQUIRES THE ABSOLUTE COOPERATION OF THE POLICE AND COMPLETE CONFIDENTIALITY TO PROTECT THE IDENTITY OF THE INSURED, AS REVELATION OF THAT IDENTITY COULD INCITE RANSOM CONDITIONS. TERRORISTS MAY SELECT INSURED INDIVIDUALS, AS THEY CAN BE CERTAIN OF BEING PAID. RANSOM INSURANCE MAY ALSO PROVOKE NEW FORMS OF ORGANIZED CRIME, WHEREBY THE INSURED ARRANGES A KIDNAPPING OR HOSTAGE-TAKING IN ORDER TO BENEFIT FROM THE RANSOM MONEY. WITH THE INCREASE IN SUCH CRIMES, IT MIGHT BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO CONVINCE THE PUBLIC THAT SAFE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES EXIST. ALTHOUGH VIABLE ALTERNATIVES ARE NONEXISTENT AT PRESENT, RANSOM INSURANCE HAS NOT PROVEN ITSELF TO BE THE SOLUTION TO THE CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF TERRORIST HOSTAGE-TAKING OR KIDNAPPING, EITHER FOR THE PROTECTION OF PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. --IN FRENCH. (MHP)