WHEN peace campaigner Norman Kember arrives home on British soil today, it will be a joyous moment not many of us expected to be able to celebrate.

Despite his impeccable credentials as a man of peace, it seemed too much to hope that he would escape with his life, particularly after fellow hostage, American Tom Fox, was found shot dead earlier this month.

Mr Kember's survival is a testament to his own fortitude as well as the unswerving determination and courage of the allied forces involved in the rescue operation.

We hope that Mr Kember will now be able to find peace himself, back home with his family.

But while we rejoice at his freedom, it is important to keep it in perspective.

While the kidnapping of an elderly British peace campaigner is bound to make emotive headlines in this country, he is merely one of many kidnap victims.

The dozens of Iraqis who are taken hostage every day - many of them children snatched on their way to school - can never hope for the same level of publicity.

With 17 Iraqis found executed yesterday, it is a stark reminder of how much still needs to be done to stabilise the country.

And while we should all celebrate the uplifting news of Norman Kember's release, we must also remember those who remain in captivity with little hope of salvation.