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Camilla Mary Carr

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Camilla Carr
Born31 January 1958
Died22 August 2024 (aged 66)
Alma materHomerton College, Cambridge
OccupationAid worker

Camilla Mary Carr (31 January 1958 – 22 August 2024) was a British humanitarian worker.

Biography

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Carr was a former psychologist.[1] She attended Shrewsbury High School and Homerton College.

In 1997, Carr travelled to Chechnya with her partner Jon James to set up a rehabilitation centre for children traumatised by the first Chechen War.[2] She and James were kidnapped and held hostage for 14 months by Chechnyan rebels.[3] There they suffered torture and sexual violence.[4] BBC News reported that she had been the "world's longest-held female hostage".[5] The pair appeared in hostage videos.[6] Their families appealed to Tony Blair for help securing their freedom.[7] On 20 September 1998, Carr and James were set free and returned to Britain.[8]

Carr was involved in The Forgiveness Project which promotes conflict resolution.[9] A practising Christian, she learned to forgive her attackers.[10]

Carr was from Bath, Somerset and had one son.[11] She lived in Bethesda, Gwynedd.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Mirror.co.uk (2010-11-16). "Aid worker Camilla Carr, held hostage by Chechen rebels, advises Paul Chandler and Rachel Chandler to beware tears and anger after relief". The Mirror. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  2. ^ Obituaries, Telegraph (2024-09-15). "Camilla Carr, free-spirited aid worker who forgave those who kidnapped and raped her in Chechnya". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  3. ^ Project, The Forgiveness (2024-09-17). "In Memoriam: Reflecting on the life of Camilla Carr". The Forgiveness Project. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  4. ^ Mainwaring, Rachel (2006-07-22). "'I forgive rebel who raped me'". Wales Online. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  5. ^ "BBC News | UK | Hostages' torture ordeal". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  6. ^ "BBC News | UK | New hope for Chechnya hostages". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  7. ^ "BBC News | UK | Chechnya hostages' families appeal to PM". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  8. ^ "BBC News | UK | The hostages' ordeal". cdnedge.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  9. ^ "The Steps to Forgiveness". Brahma Kumaris. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  10. ^ "Finding strength in forgiveness". www.churchtimes.co.uk. 7 May 2008. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  11. ^ "Freed hostagetells of rape". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  12. ^ Mainwaring, Rachel (2006-07-22). "'I forgive rebel who raped me'". Wales Online. Retrieved 2025-01-07.