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I was held hostage for 317 days. Here's what I thought about…

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Vincent Cochetel |

TEDxPlaceDesNations

• December 2014

Vincent Cochetel was held hostage for 317 days in 1998, while working for the UN High Commissioner on Refugees in Chechnya. For the first time, he recounts the experience — from what it was like to live in a dark, underground chamber, chained to his bed, to the unexpected conversations he had with his captors. With lyricism and power, he explains why he continues his work today. Since 2000, attacks on humanitarian aid workers have tripled — and he wonders what that rise may signal to the world.

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Vincent Cochetel was held hostage for 317 days in 1998, while working for the UN High Commissioner on Refugees in Chechnya. For the first time, he recounts the experience — from what it was like to live in a dark, underground chamber, chained to his bed, to the unexpected conversations he had with his captors. With lyricism and power, he explains why he continues his work today. Since 2000, attacks on humanitarian aid workers have tripled — and he wonders what that rise may signal to the world.

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About the speaker

Vincent Cochetel

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Vincent Cochetel is the Director of the Bureau for Europe at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxPlaceDesNations, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

Vincent Cochetel: I was held hostage for 317 days. Here's what I thought about… | TED Talk