Hostage Recovery Activities (E.O. 13698)

Summary

Establishes a coordinated U.S. government effort to safely recover American citizens held hostage in other countries and support their families.

What problem does this solve?

Terrorist and criminal groups are taking more Americans hostage abroad, and the government's response was not well-coordinated. This order creates new, specialized groups that work together to share information and use all government powers to bring hostages home safely.

What does this order do?

Establishes the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell (HRFC)

Creates a new interagency group within the FBI to coordinate all government efforts and information to recover U.S. hostages held abroad.

Creates the Hostage Response Group (HRG)

Forms a policy group chaired by a National Security Council official to provide guidance to the HRFC and recommend recovery strategies to the President.

Appoints a Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs

Creates a new position, reporting to the Secretary of State, to lead all diplomatic engagement related to U.S. hostage policy and recovery efforts.

Mandates interagency participation

Requires the Departments of State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, the FBI, CIA, and others to participate in the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell.

Creates a Family Engagement Coordinator

Establishes a specific role within the HRFC to ensure families of hostages receive coordinated support and timely information about their cases.

Who does this affect?

U.S. nationals held hostage abroad
Families of hostages
U.S. government agencies involved in foreign policy and law enforcement

What is the real world impact?

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Improves coordination for hostage recovery

Creates a single operational body, the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell (HRFC), to ensure all government agencies work together, share information, and use all available resources to bring U.S. hostages home safely.

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Enhances support for families

Establishes a Family Engagement Coordinator and requires government agencies to provide consistent support and timely information to the families of hostages.

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Reinforces the 'no concessions' policy

States that all recovery efforts must be consistent with the U.S. policy of not making concessions to hostage-takers. This long-standing policy is sometimes criticized for being too rigid and potentially hindering negotiations.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately as of June 24, 2015, and sets several deadlines for reports.

HRFC Status Report

Within 180 days of the order (by December 21, 2015), the Hostage Response Group must report on the establishment of the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell.

Implementation Status Report

Within one year of the order (by June 24, 2016), the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center must provide a report on the implementation of the order.