The working assumption should be that families are partners who have the potential to be instrumental in the attempts to resolve the detentions. Despite Government assurances, we do not believe that sufficient progress has been made in improving communication with families. Families are frequently assured by officials and ministers that they are “doing all they can” to secure the release of their detained family members. This is an inadequate response. To communicate standard Stolen years: combatting state hostage diplomacy 51 diplomatic representations as substantive actions to families of detainees with little or no further detail is not conducive to a constructive and supportive working partnership.