| Subject |
MP
attends unveiling of Bali memorial to UK victims five years
after the bombings took place
|
| Ref |
PR/06-160 |
| Date |
9th
October 2006 |
Tobias Ellwood
MP will join other UK survivors and relatives of those killed in
the Bali Bombings on 12th October 2006 outside the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office, St James Park, Westminster where the Prince of Wales will
unveil a memorial to those affected by the October 2002 attacks.
Also attending
will be the Duchess of Cornwall, the Rt Hon Tessa Jowell, Secretary
of State for Culture Media and Sport and a number of Ambassadors
or Heads of Missions representing the 202 killed and over 200 injured
from 21 nations affected by the attacks for all nationalities killed.
The memorial
has been commissioned by the UK Bali Bombing Victims Group - an
organisation of mainly British survivors and relatives of those
who died in the bombings. It comprises a freestanding globe with
202 individually carved doves, each of which represents a victim
of the bombings.
Tobias Ellwood
said:
"We are
grateful to the Foreign Office for its support in establishing this
memorial for those affected by the horrific events that took place
four years ago. The Department was quick to admit that its reaction
to support the UK injured and families of the victims was less than
satisfactory. I recommended to the Foreign Secretary (Jack Straw)
that emergency response teams who are trained to provided assistance
in those crucial first 72 hours after an incident abroad should
be created. These are now in place along with clear guidelines for
travel advice on the FCO website."
Compensation
for UK victims of terrorism remains unresolved. Whilst terrorists
recognise no borders, presently the Government's support for victims
of terrorism does. Adequate compensation was provided for those
affected by the 7/7 bombings in London. However, had the very same
bombers killed or injured the very same people outside the UK, no
compensation would be made available. This is in stark contrast
to the US, Australia and much of Europe who do not make such a distinction
as to where the terrorist attack took place."
|
