|
Following an announcement by Alan Johnson earlier this year the
Victims of Terrorism Overseas Compensation Scheme received Royal
Assent today as part of the Crime and Security Bill.
Until now, British citizens caught up in terrorism abroad
received little or no financial support upon their return to the
UK. A four year campaign sought equal treatment to those
caught up in bombings in the UK, such as the 7/7 bombing victims
who received financial support via the Criminal Injuries Compensation
Scheme. The new scheme will effectively extend the CICA Scheme.
In addition there will be payments made to past victims of
terrorist atrocities such as those in Mumbai, Turkey, Bali, Egypt
and others.
|
 |
It is unclear at present what funds will be made available but
campaigners are urging the Government to make payments to past
victims as if under the new scheme. Lord Brennan QC urged the same
when he spoke in the House or Lords last week about the Bill,
having introduced the matter as a Private Members Bill in 2007.
Jill Greenfield, a
personal injury partner at law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse, has
been heavily involved in the campaign, working with Lord Brennan
QC, victims families and the Pro Bono Unit at law firm Lovells.
Jill Greenfield
comments:
“This has taken many years but finally
financial support will be available to those injured abroad in
terrorist atrocities. This is a massive achievement for the victims
and all those involved in the campaign. It must be right that
whilst the scheme is not retrospective, those involved in past
atrocities should receive support on the same basis. We believe
that there are over 50 such victims out there and we would urge
those that have not been contacted by the government so far to come
forward.”