Foley Foundation Executive Director Benjamin Gray was invited by the Human Rights Foundation to attend the Oslo Freedom Forum in late May. This long-standing conference brings together human rights activists to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and explore creative strategies to combat the abuses of authoritarian regimes.
Over the past two years, the Forum has placed increasing emphasis on the issue of hostage-taking and wrongful detention, particularly by nation-states. It has become a key gathering point for a coalition of NGOs from multiple countries, enabling them to coordinate advocacy efforts on behalf of individual detainees and to urge governments to better support captives and their families. The Forum also encourages the development of coordinated policies for deterrence and prevention.
Although still in its early stages, this collaborative work aligns closely with the Foley Foundation’s research findings and recommendations, which underscore the urgent need for greater international cooperation to address this growing threat.