A/HRC/33/55 83. Where ISIL detains individuals in its territory, the victims’ fate and whereabouts are often discernible because the group’s punishments or demands for ransom are usually public. However, there are individuals who remain missing following their abduction. This includes Father Paolo Dall’Oglio, who was abducted in Raqqah city in January 2014. Despite rumours of his murder, his death has not been confirmed. 84. The impact on families of the disappeared is devastating. Without knowledge of their fate, it is difficult — if not impossible — to mourn the loss. The severe mental distress of family members rises to a level that breaches their right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. 85. In the Syrian Arab Republic, where men are the primary breadwinners, the enforced disappearance of adult male relatives has an acute impact. Many of the women interviewed have no means of supporting themselves, and have to rely on men in their extended families. With husbands and fathers missing for years, and without confirmation of death, female family members are left in a legal limbo, unable to sell or inherit property, or to remarry. 86. Given the large number of missing and disappeared in the country, and the deep distress of the affected families, the release of political prisoners and arbitrarily detained civilians, the tracking of missing and victims of enforced disappearance, and future monitoring of places of detention should form part of confidence-building measures preparing the way for inclusive political negotiations aimed at bringing the conflict to an end. C. Hostage-taking 87. As the conflict has dragged on and a war economy has taken hold, instances of hostage-taking have risen. Armed groups, including those designated as terrorist groups, have taken hostages in order to effect prisoner exchanges, or for ransom. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to being taken hostage, as families usually move quickly to collect money to pay the ransom, or exert pressure on opposing forces to arrange a prisoner swap. 88. In March 2015, armed groups, including Ahrar al-Sham, attacked Idlib city, taking dozens hostage. Ahrar al-Sham released the hostages in two batches in January and February 2016, following the release of individuals held by pro-Government armed groups from Foua’a and Kafria. 89. On 23 February 2015, ISIL attacked Assyrian Christian villages along the Khabour river in Hasakah. The terrorist group took approximately 200 civilians hostage. The last group of hostages was released in late February 2016. Many of the children, who were forced to watch violent ISIL propaganda, including videos of executions, remain highly traumatized. 90. Government forces arrested or abducted family members of men believed to be fighting against the Government. Those detained in such circumstances are effectively held hostage and are released only when their male relative hands himself in. 91. Members of the warring factions are using the cover of war to enrich themselves. Fighters from armed groups, as well as government soldiers and pro-Government militia members, have detained individuals until such time as their families pay for their release. In such contexts, it is often difficult to discern whether the motives behind particular arrests or abductions are conflict related, or instances of criminal opportunism. 14