POD HOSTAGE DIPLOMACY

We work to free hostages and the unjustly detained worldwide. Together with their families, we share their stories and let you know how you can help. Host, Daren Nair has been campaigning with many of these families for years and will introduce you to some of the most courageous and resilient people among us, people who have never given up hope, people who will never stop working to reunite their families.

May 3, 2023

SITREP Pod 4: Free Robert Pether, Australian held in Iraq | Pod Hostage Diplomacy

Last month marked two years since Robert Pether, an Australian citizen and Irish resident, has been wrongfully imprisoned in Iraq. He is a father, a husband and an engineer.

Robert and his colleague, Khalid Radwan were both detained in Baghdad on 7 April 2021 after they went to Iraq to resolve a business dispute between the Iraqi government and their Dubai-based employer, CME Consulting. CME Consulting which is an engineering firm was working on the new headquarters for the Central Bank of Iraq

Listen to the Episode

April 19, 2023

Free Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich, Americans held in Russia | Pod Hostage Diplomacy

American Marine veteran, Paul Whelan and American journalist, Evan Gershkovich are both wrongfully imprisoned in Russia. The United States government has classified both men as “wrongfully detained” and has called for their immediate release.

Both Paul and Evan are victims of Russia’s hostage diplomacy. We explain what hostage diplomacy is, the different types of hostage-takers, creation of the U.S. hostage enterprise, Presidential Policy Directive 30, the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and H

Listen to the Episode

March 29, 2023

SITREP Pod: Free Shahab Dalili, American hostage in Iran | Pod Hostage Diplomacy

Shahab Dalili is a United States lawful permanent resident from Virginia. His wife and children are all U.S. citizens. In April 2016, Shahab went to Tehran to attend his father’s funeral. He was then arrested and has been wrongfully imprisoned in Iran to this day.

According to recent news reports, there have been discussions of a potential prisoner exchange between the United States and Iran. The U.S. government has stated that no deal has been agreed. Shahab’s family are very worried that he m

Listen to the Episode

March 15, 2023

Free Cecile Kohler, French hostage in Iran | Pod Hostage Diplomacy

Cecile Kohler is a French teacher and a unionist. She has always dreamed of visiting Iran. Last year, both Cecile and her partner, Jacques Paris visited Iran as tourists during the French school holidays and were arrested on their way to the airport by Iranian authorities. They have both been wrongfully imprisoned in Iran since 7 May 2022. The French government has referred to them as state hostages.

In October 2022, both Cecile and Jacques were made to deliver forced “confessions” which were a

Listen to the Episode

View all Episodes

About the Host

Daren Nair

Daren Nair is a former Director on the Board of Amnesty International UK. His work on state-sponsored hostage-taking also known as hostage diplomacy has been cited in reports published by the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China, the Australian Parliament’s Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Reference Committee as well as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture.

Daren has spent the last ten years campaigning with the families of individuals held hostage or unjustly detained by countries such as Iran, Russia, Venezuela, China, Syria and Iraq. Daren created and hosts the Pod Hostage Diplomacy podcast.

Reviews

Inspiring, informative and compassionate podcast.

"Daren Nair is an amazing host who has on the most resilient families I’ve ever heard speak. This show is truly a Godsend to these cases as it helps highlight them in depth and giving a chance for the…"

Vvadell | Jan. 27, 2022

A voice for those being denied basic human rights

"The Pod Hostage Diplomacy team does an incredibly job highlighting cases of those held hostage or illegally detained around the world by corrupt and violent regimes. The families of hostages go throu…"

Ckanimba | Dec. 6, 2021

Deserves far more attention

"This podcast series deserves far more attention. A world where ordinary citizens can be kidnapped by foreign governments and non-state organizations for political leverage is a scary one. Daren does …"

FreeKaiLi | Dec. 2, 2021

Amazing work and dedication

"Daren is doing amazing work connecting with families whose loved ones have been taken abroad and dives into the toll that it takes on the families and the hostages. I wish this podcast had been on my…"

IllImmigrant | April 21, 2022

Puts a very human face on these “names”

"Grateful to Mr Nair for this show. Essential listening, as it makes the names of these hostages, often hard names to remember, completely relatable and easier to help them in what small ways we can."

JeanBeanMom | May 10, 2022

Moving

"Such an important podcast and source of information that doesn’t get enough aired enough elsewhere."

Shimizu18 | Jan. 31, 2022

Good to listen

"Very powerful podcast which helps hostages and their families to raise their voice to the world. Everyone shall listen to every episode to understand what is happening with hostages and their familie…"

MohZ2123 | Dec. 19, 2021

Great podcast! Worth a listen

"Informative, powerful and relevant. Worth a listen. Produced and presented very well, shining a light on a topic not talked about enough by both the media or politicians. Great work, keep it up!"

benevis100 | Dec. 2, 2021

Excellent

"Excellent, powerful and insightful podcast. Well worth a listen."

cog1789 | Nov. 27, 2021

How we can end hostage diplomacy

"Great podcast! Every week I wait excited for the next episode and learned how we can help to end hostage diplomacy. Thank you Daren for tireless campaigning"

Mariam Claren | Nov. 25, 2021

See all reviews