This paper focuses on the practice of hostage taking which is taking place in the conflict over Karabakh between Azerbaydzhan and Armenia. Hostage taking is prohibited in all types of conflict by international humanitarian laws. AI is concerned about reports of ill-treatment in detention of hostages. Individual cases of people taken hostage are cited. They are: Lev Vaganovich Avakov-Leokov, Vilik Oganezov and Artavaz Mirzoyan, Saltanat Zulal gyzy Mamedova and her family, and Alisher Gyulaly ogly Binaliyev and five others. AI's other concerns in this conflict include deliberate and arbitrary killings of civilians and the use of the death penalty.