Terrorism: Compensation
(asked on 3rd March 2015) - View Source
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to pursue international justice and compensation for UK nationals affected by terrorist acts supported or encouraged by another country.
This question was answered on 10th March 2015
The Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme is a government funded scheme designed to compensate the blameless victims of terrorism overseas in certain circumstances. The scheme is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and applies to certain terrorist incidents since 2012. A predecessor scheme applied from 2002, again under certain circumstances. Long-term success in countering terrorism depends on international collaboration, and we work with our partners overseas to build their capacity to investigate and prosecute terrorists. The specific cases related to UK victims of Qadhafi sponsored terrorism, do not fall within the scope of current or previous schemes. In May 2014, the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), asked his National Security Advisor, Sir Kim Darroch, to lead cross-Government efforts to build a dialogue with the Libyan authorities on reconciliation initiatives. This is a broad remit to lead discussions with the Libyans to facilitate progress for all UK victims of Qadhafi sponsored terrorism. While we do not intend to negotiate a compensation settlement with the Libyan authorities, once stability returns, and our Embassy re-opens, we will again encourage the Libyans to engage with UK victims seeking redress, including those seeking compensation.
The Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme is a government funded scheme designed to compensate the blameless victims of terrorism overseas in certain circumstances. The scheme is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and applies to certain terrorist incidents since 2012. A predecessor scheme applied from 2002, again under certain circumstances. Long-term success in countering terrorism depends on international collaboration, and we work with our partners overseas to build their capacity to investigate and prosecute terrorists. The specific cases related to UK victims of Qadhafi sponsored terrorism, do not fall within the scope of current or previous schemes. In May 2014, the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), asked his National Security Advisor, Sir Kim Darroch, to lead cross-Government efforts to build a dialogue with the Libyan authorities on reconciliation initiatives. This is a broad remit to lead discussions with the Libyans to facilitate progress for all UK victims of Qadhafi sponsored terrorism. While we do not intend to negotiate a compensation settlement with the Libyan authorities, once stability returns, and our Embassy re-opens, we will again encourage the Libyans to engage with UK victims seeking redress, including those seeking compensation.