Formal support framework for families of murdered British citizens overseas

Our family, like many others, has endured the loss of a loved one overseas and we feel we experienced an absence of leadership, guidance, and support. Consistent assistance from British embassies is necessary regarding which actions should be taken when a family encounters such tragedy abroad.

In light of our experience, we seek to emphasise the necessity for a statutory framework that would provide direction and ensure consistent communication for families. Enhanced collaboration between British and international authorities is significant. We believe a formal framework would provide better advice for the repatriation procedure and other services to alleviate isolation for the victims' families.

Our hearts go out to the lead petitioners and all those who have suffered the distress and trauma caused by the murder of a loved one, and we recognise the added complexity, trauma and challenges faced by families when that kind of death happens abroad, whether that is difficulties in obtaining information from overseas authorities, navigating foreign criminal justice systems, dealing with language barriers, or arranging the repatriation of their loved ones.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to providing consistent, empathetic and high-quality support to British nationals overseas through its global network of consular staff, available 24/7, 365 days a year. Strengthening that support was a manifesto commitment of the current Government, and remains a priority today.

The FCDO is the government department immediately responsible for supporting bereaved families and providing information about local procedures and support services through its global network of consular staff and its online information services on gov.uk. We consider each request for assistance on a case-by-case basis in order to provide the most appropriate and tailored response. When a death has been confirmed as a murder or manslaughter by a competent foreign authority, families will be supported by a dedicated Murder and Manslaughter Team based in the FCDO. They are allocated a named case manager and may be eligible for additional support from the Homicide Service in England and Wales (https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/more-us/why-choose-us/specialist-services/homicide-service/), or Scotland (https://victimsupport.scot/get-support/) for help with emotional, practical and financial assistance.

Responsibility for investigating a suspected murder has to rest with the authorities of the country where the death occurred, and we know that means experiences for families can vary widely from country to country, depending how effective and supportive their law enforcement agencies are. There is also no standardised process across the world for repatriations or other processes. The FCDO therefore adapts the support we provide to each family to help them navigate these complex processes, depending on their individual circumstances and needs, and the challenges they are facing. We will also register an interest in all relevant cases and investigations to receive updates from the foreign authorities. However, the FCDO cannot provide legal advice or financial assistance, nor can it interfere in any other country’s investigative or judicial processes. It is a sad fact that investigations and judicial processes in foreign countries can sometimes take years to come to a conclusion, and we recognise that these delays, and problems with communication and transparency, will be distressing for families. We always do our best to obtain updates and press for progress where possible, but our ability to do so varies from country to country, and can be constrained in some countries or regions by the circumstances on the ground.

We are always looking for ways to improve the service we provide, including seeking to achieve greater consistency, transparency and accountability in how support is provided to bereaved families. In line with the Government's manifesto commitment, the current arrangements in this area are under review, and we are consulting families about improvements we might make, including statutory and non-statutory options, and will consider these alongside the Ministry of Justice and other departments.

More information about the support we provide can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/if-a-british-national-dies-abroad-through-murder-or-manslaughter. The following documents - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/murder-manslaughter-and-infanticide-of-british-nationals-abroad-memorandum-of-understanding (for England and Wales) and https://www.gov.scot/publications/memorandum-understanding-support-those-suffer-bereavement-abroad-through-homicide-culpable-homicide/pages/1/. (for Scotland) set out the roles and responsibilities of each agency in supporting a family bereaved by murder or manslaughter overseas.

Further public guidance for families from the FCDO, Ministry of Justice, the Victims’ Commissioner and the National Police Chiefs’ Council will be published in due course.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office