英国卫报:绑架为何成了一门生意(14)（在线收听）

However, the benefits that security consultants provide are only available if people have access to kidnapping and ransom insurance.

然而，安全顾问提供的好处只有在人们有机会获得绑架和赎金保险的情况下才能获得。

Governments should work with the industry to develop innovative ways to extend coverage to vulnerable groups.

政府应与行业合作，开发创新方法，扩大弱势群体的覆盖面。

K&R coverage can be tucked into travel-insurance policies or provided through employers whose staff operate internationally.

K&R保险可以包含在旅行保险单中，或者通过员工在国际上工作的雇主提供。

For high-risk groups, such as freelance journalists and volunteer aid workers in conflict zones, the challenge is more difficult.

对于高危人群，比如冲突地区的自由记者和志愿援助工作者，挑战就更大了。

But governments can work with the industry to develop specialised products, even if these require public subsidies.

但政府可以与该行业合作开发专门产品，即使这些产品需要公共补贴。

Finally, the families of kidnapping victims who lack insurance

最后是那些没有保险的绑架受害者的家庭，

should be given access to security consultants in extraordinary circumstances, such as those with national security implications.

在特殊情况下，如涉及国家安全的情况下，他们应被允许接触安全顾问。

This can be done by creating an industry-wide pro bono standard, whereby security companies increase their volunteer services.

这可以通过建立一个全行业的无偿服务标准来实现，这样安全公司就可以增加他们的志愿服务。

It could also be done via some sort of government pool that needy families can access if certain standards are met.

它也可以通过某种政府统筹来实现，如果符合某些标准，贫困家庭就可以获得这种资助。

When I met with representatives from the Foreign Office,

当我会见外交部的代表时，

I found them dug in to their view that the no-concessions policy was simply not up for discussion or debate.

我发现他们固执地认为，不让步政策根本不值得讨论或辩论。

This is a shame, because data made available in recent years does not support its central contention,

这是一个耻辱，因为近年来的数据并不支持它的核心论点，

namely that refusing to pay ransom reduces the risk of future crime.

也就是说，拒绝支付赎金可以降低未来犯罪的风险。

Moreover, as Doug Milne notes: “By refusing to allow concessions, you drive the negotiations underground,

此外，正如道格·米尔恩所指出的：“拒绝让步，你就把谈判推到了地下，

so the intelligence you might otherwise get following the case disappears.

所以你追踪这个案子可能得到的情报就消失了。

The families feel they could potentially be prosecuted. And the government becomes the enemy.”

他们的家人觉得他们可能会被起诉。政府就成了他们的敌人。”

That’s a bad outcome that does not serve the hostage, or advance Britain’s national security.

这是一个糟糕的结果，既无助于人质，也无助于英国的国家安全。

It’s time to consider a new approach.

是时候考虑一种新方法了。