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British High Commission Kigali BP 576 KG 7 Ave, Kigali, Rwanda Tel: (+250) 252 556000 Fax: (+250) 252 582044 [email protected] www.gov.uk/world/rwanda
Information Pack for British Prisoners in Burundi
Author: British High Commission Kigali Date: 14th September 2018
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Contents Introduction .........................................................................................................................3 Who can help? .................................................................................................................3
About The High Commission ............................................................................................3 Contact Information ..........................................................................................................3 First Steps ...........................................................................................................................4 Who will know I have been detained? ..............................................................................4 What kind of legal assistance is available? .......................................................................4 What will my family be told? .............................................................................................4 What will The High Commission do? ................................................................................5 Would I have a criminal record in the UK? .......................................................................5 The Rwandan Judicial System.............................................................................................5 Is the system the same as the UK? ..................................................................................5 For how long can I be remanded in custody? ...................................................................5 What should happen when I am arrested? ........................................................................6 What happens when I am charged? .................................................................................6 Categories of Charges ......................................................................................................7 What kind of legal assistance is available? .......................................................................7 What happens at the trial? .................................................................................................7 Interpreters and translators ................................................................................................7 Sentences .............................................................................................................................7 How can appeals be made? ..............................................................................................8 Can I get Bail? ....................................................................................................................8 Deportation .........................................................................................................................8 What provision is there for early release e.g. on parole? ..................................................8 What provision is there for clemency or pardon? ..............................................................9 What about any financial penalties? ..................................................................................9 Is transfer to another prison within Rwanda possible? ......................................................9 Visits .....................................................................................................................................9 How do my family and friends arrange a visit? ..................................................................9 How many visits am I allowed? .........................................................................................10 Consular visits ...................................................................................................................10 What can visitors bring? ....................................................................................................10 Prison conditions/services ....................................................................................................10 On arrest ............................................................................................................................10 General prison conditions...................................................................................................11 Health and Hygiene............................................................................................................11 How can I receive money? ................................................................................................12 Can I work or study in detention? ......................................................................................12 Can I receive medical and dental treatment? .......................................................................12 Food and Diet.....................................................................................................................13 Mail/Parcels .......................................................................................................................13 Can I make telephone calls? ................................................................................................14 Leisure and entertainment .................................................................................................14 Drugs .................................................................................................................................14 How can I make a complaint about mistreatment? ............................................................15 Is transfer to the UK a possibility? ........................................................................................15 What are the procedures for release and deportation? .....................................................15 Prisoners Abroad ..............................................................................................................15 Prison Fellowship International ............................................................................................16 The Salvation Army ..............................................................................................................17 Annexes ...............................................................................................................................17 Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................18
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Introduction
Who can help? The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO): The FCO is represented overseas by its Embassies (High Commissions in Commonwealth Countries) and Consulates. Both employ Consular Officers whose duties is to provide help and advice to British nationals who get into difficulty overseas.
About the British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) We are impartial; we are not here to judge you. We aim to make sure that you are treated properly and fairly in accordance with local regulations, and that you are treated no less favourably than other prisoners. We can answer questions about your welfare and about prison regulations; however we cannot give legal advice as we are not lawyers. You should ask your lawyer or the court about legal matters. You can find a list of local English-speaking lawyers on our gov.uk website, but please note that this list is provided for your convenience, and neither Her Majesty’s Government, nor any official of the British embassy Liaison Office (BELO), take any responsibility for the competence or probity of any firm/advocate on the list or for the consequence of any legal action initiated or advice given. We cannot get you out of prison, pay fines, stand bail, nor interfere with local judicial procedures. We cannot secure you an earlier trial date nor investigate crimes. We have tried to make sure that the information in this booklet is accurate and up to date, but the British embassy Liaison Office (BELO) cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information. If in doubt you should contact your lawyer.
Contact Information
British High Commission Kigali BP 576 KG 7 Ave Kacyiru, Kigali Rwanda
Tel: (+250) 252 556000 (answered 24/7) Fax: (+250) 252 582044 Email: [email protected] (answered during office hours) Website: www.gov.uk/world/rwanda
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Working Hours: British High Commission in Kigali working hours are; Monday to Thursday 0800 to 1200 and 1300 to 1700 Friday 0800 to 1200 Consular Counter opening hours British High Commission in Kigali Monday to Thursday 0800 to 1200 Friday 0800 to 1100 For out of office hours calls please dial +250 252 556 000 (answered 24/7)
First Steps
Who will know I have been detained? When a British national is arrested and detained in Burundi, the Burundian authorities must inform our British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) if the detainee requests it. It is your right. However, this process can be slow and we often learn of arrests informally through friends or family. Do Note that there are incidences where by the media may record your arrest and publish it in the news. British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) would not have control of what is published in the main stream media or on social media.
What kind of legal assistance is available? You can hire a lawyer for yourself at any time after your arrest. Normally a privately-hired lawyer will ask for a cash advance for their estimated legal fees before they agree to represent you. Our British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) cannot pay your legal fees nor act as a guarantee for any legal costs you will incur. Our British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) can provide you a list of English-speaking lawyers in Burundi. If you do not have funds to pay for your own lawyer, free legal aid does exist in Burundi however, the system does not work well in practice. Some lawyers may agree to provide pro bono assistance if you ask. Our British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) staff cannot give you legal advice as we are not trained lawyers.
What will my family be told? Our staff abide by UK Data Protection legislation. This means, with the exception of the information under “Will I have a criminal record in the UK?” (below), our staff cannot release any information about you. This includes that you have been detained and what the charges are, without your consent. During our first contact with you we will ask whether you wish
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anyone to be informed and who, if anyone, we can share information with. It is your right to withdraw or change this consent at any point.
What will British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) do? We aim to contact you within 24 hours after we learn of your arrest and visit you within 48 hours; after this we aim to visit you every three months. If appropriate, and if you give your consent, we will consider approaching the local authorities if you are not treated in line with internationally-accepted standards.
Would I have a criminal record in the UK? You should be aware that if you have been convicted for certain serious offences, such as sexual assault or drugs trafficking, we are obliged to inform the UK police. It is therefore possible that information about this offence may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out e.g. by a prospective employer.
THE BURUNDI JUDICIAL SYSTEM Our British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) cannot interfere in the Burundi judicial system. This includes asking for your case to be processed quicker than other cases, or asking the authorities to waive penalties.
Is the system the same as the UK? No. The Burundi system follows Belgian law (its former colonial power).
For how long can I be remanded in custody? Ideally in Burundi you can be held in the police station for 72 hours. After this, your case is transferred to the prosecutor’s office, which has an additional five days to present your case to a judge, who will decide whether to release you with an “Ordennance de liberté” (subject to conditions) or detain you (in prison) with an “Ordennance de detention” for a period of a month. After a month, you again will be brought before the judge. The judge can extend your period for another 30 days if the case is still being investigated with no trial date set. Pre-trial investigation, and subsequent detention, can be very lengthy
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What should happen when I am arrested? Upon arrest, you will be put in handcuffs and taken to a Detention Centre. You should be made aware of your rights; if you wish our British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) to be informed of your arrest you should make that clear to the local authorities. Your arresting officer may want to take a statement from you. You may be questioned further depending on the circumstances of your arrest. If you do not understand or are unable to communicate in the language the police are questioning you, the local authorities must provide an English interpreter. You should never sign anything you cannot read and understand. It may be a confession, and could include things you know nothing about. If you find yourself under pressure to sign before having access to a lawyer, ask to speak to the British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO). The police officer will record and make four copies of the statement of the arrest, of which: One is transmitted to the competent public prosecutor; One is filed in the criminal case file; One given to the officer in charge of the remand prison; One is given to the accused – (Do remember to ask for a copy of this document). You have the right to be informed of the exact charges against you and to a lawyer to assist you with your statement. The statement can be made in French or Kirundi. If you are not conversant in any of these two languages, you have the right to an interpreter.
What happens when I am charged?
You will either be freed until your case is heard or you will be remanded in custody. The judge decides on your status, i.e. liberty or detention. If freed, you must remain in Burundi. Your passport will be confiscated and you may be asked to report weekly to a police station.
At your first hearing before a court you should be notified of your rights. In theory, these are:
the right to an interpreter;
the right to consult a lawyer (see below);
the right to appeal against a charge;
the right to be visited at a reasonable time by Consular staff, and by members of your family;
if unwell, the right to be examined by a doctor. If the judge agrees to bail you will be informed about the terms and conditions of your bail, which normally includes surrendering your passport to the local authorities. If bail is refused, you will likely be remanded for a week. Bail and detention terms vary according to the alleged offence, for example, under Burundi law serious crimes such as drugs trafficking have no provision for bail.
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Categories of Charges Serious Offenses A felony is a crime punishable mainly by imprisonment of more than five years. Felonies are tried at the “Haut Court,” or High Court, with only one appeal available. Possible examples (not exhaustive) include: murder, rape, armed robbery, political incitement, treason, drugs, major fraud. A misdemeanour is a crime punishable mainly by imprisonment of a term exceeding six months but not exceeding five years. Misdemeanour crimes are tried in the “Tribunal de Grand Instance,” with two appeals available. Possible examples include: Civil / commercial disputes and corruption. Minor Offenses A petty offense is a crime punishable by imprisonment not exceeding six months or by a fine. Petty offences are tried at the “Tribunal de Base,” with three appeals available. Possible examples (not exhaustive) include: traffic offenses (including drunk driving) and petty theft.
What happens at the trial? On your trial day you will be taken to the court where your case is being handled. There will be a judge in charge of your case along with the public prosecutor and your lawyer (if you have one). If you don’t speak Kirundi the court must provide you with an interpreter.
Interpreters and Translators The use of interpreters and translators is permitted, although you will likely have to hire one yourself. The Government of Burundi is required to provide them in theory, but in practice this is very difficult and can subject your trial to lengthy bureaucratic delays.
Sentences Sentences will vary depending on the case/crime in Burundi. Your lawyer should be able to advise you about length of sentences and, if appropriate, about the appeals processes. If you are found guilty and sentenced, you could be taken to any prison in Burundi. As a foreigner you will most likely be sent to Prison Centrale de Gitega, Burundi. There is no death penalty. The death penalty does not exist, it was abolished on April 22nd 2009. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Burundi are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
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In Burundi, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you or if you take pictures of certain buildings.
How can appeals be made?
The following persons may lodge an appeal:
You or your lawyer (for the person facing charges).
The person liable to pay damages.
The civil party or persons who have been automatically awarded damages (civil claims only).
The prosecution. An appeal should be lodged within 30 days of the judgment.
Can I get Bail? Yes, but it must be paid by a person of “high moral standing” (the guarantor). The decision rests with the judge. You will have to surrender your passport to the Burundi authorities to prevent you from leaving the country. If you do leave the country, the guarantor must forfeit the bail set by the judge, and other penalties may apply. The guarantor must pay compensation for any damages caused by the accused.
Deportation The Burundi government can deport foreign nationals deemed undesirable, or who could compromise or threaten national security or public order. After being declared undesirable, foreign nationals can be sentenced to between 8 and 15 days in prison and fined. All foreigners who enter or remain in Burundi illegally can be deported with no legal recourse.
What provision is there for early release e.g. on parole? Parole, known as conditional release in Burundi, is possible. You must serve at least one quarter of the sentence before it will be considered.
Parole will be considered for good behaviour or if you suffer from serious and incurable diseases diagnosed by 3 doctors.
Parole conditions are as follows:
If you are serving six months or less and up to five years, parole will be considered after serving a third of your sentence.
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If you are serving more than 5 years, parole will be considered once two thirds of the sentence has been served.
If you are serving a life term, parole will be considered after twenty years. Parole can be revoked.
You will not be considered for parole if you are guilty of one of the following crimes: genocide or crimes against humanity, terrorism, sexual violence on children, treason, or espionage.
What about any financial penalties?
Financial penalties/Fines and court fees must be paid to a court clerk within eight days of the court judgement.
What provision is there for clemency or pardon? You can write a letter to The President of the Republic of Burundi requesting for a pardon. You may or may not get a response. It is at the discretion of the President to grant this pardon. The President of the Republic of Burundi is the only person who can grant clemency.
What about any financial penalties? Burundi law allows for financial penalties, rather than custodial sentencing, depending on the crime committed. Your lawyer will be able to advise on financial penalties as some of these are already set by the judicial system. Failure to fully cover the financial penalties, you will be detained for up to 6 months. If you are not able to pay for the penalties you could be tried for failure to pay for the financial penalties and the sentence could be for up to 2 years.
Is transfer to another prison within Burundi possible? Yes. You will have to put your request in writing with the reasons (e.g. compassionate grounds) to the Direction Générale des Affaires Pénitentiaires. The decision to move prisoners is at the discretion of the local authorities.
Visits
How do my family and friends arrange a visit? Visits from family members and friends are permitted in Burundi Prisons, normally every Fridays. Visits on other days are only allowed by special permission from the local authorities. Foreign visitors to Burundi Prisons must apply in writing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and to the Direction Générale des Affaires Pénitentiaires. This is just a formality and permission is likely to be granted.
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Clearance by the local authorities should be requested in advance. We strongly advise family and friends of those detained in Burundi to contact us well in advance so we can try to guide your visitors make arrangements for their visits. In order for foreign visitors to obtain these permissions your visitors must provide their full passport details. Although for local visitors (Burundi nationals), they would not need to seek for permission. They can visit on normal visiting days unless special permission is required which they would then need to ask the Direction Générale des Affaires Pénitentiaires for this special permission.
How many visits am I allowed? In the majority of Burundi Prisons you are only allowed to receive visitors on Fridays. If visitors are travelling from overseas to see you, your visitors will need to request extra visiting days in consideration of the distance families have to travel to see you. Your lawyer can visit as many times as necessary.
Consular visits We will visit you every three months. During these visits you will have the opportunity to discuss any health issues, security concerns, your treatment in prison and any other general issues that you wish to raise. If there is any information that you would prefer us not to disclose to your family/friends you should let us know during the visit.
What can visitors bring? Burundi has several correctional facilities. Regulations about permitted items vary and rules change frequently. Your friends and family should contact the FCO in London or our British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) in advance of their visit so we can give them the most up-to-date information on what items they can bring you.
Prison conditions/services
On Arrest When someone is arrested in Burundi they are normally initially taken to a detention centre. Upon arrival they are taken to an administration block where their personal details are recorded. Any belongings the arrestee has that are not part of the investigation process will be kept by the local authorities. The rest will be sent to the Prison for safe keeping. It is
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unusual for belongings to go missing right after arrest or during prison transfers. If you are unable to locate your belongings do ask the police department as they do at times hold some items/belongings as evidence. The British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) cannot store your personal belongings for you. The local authorities will normally retain your passport at the courts until the end of your sentence. The British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) can help you recover your passport if it is not immediately returned to you on your release. The prison health department might carry out medical checks following your arrest. You should ensure you make them aware of any medical conditions you might have.
General prison conditions After being sentenced, you could be taken to any of the prisons in Burundi. Each province has at least one prison, but it is most likely you will be sent to Prison Centrale de Gitega. Overcrowding is a huge problem. The number of inmates to each cell entirely depends on the size of the cell and the number of prisoners in the particular prison. The condition of toilets and showers are poor. Some prisons are unisex but with separate wings for men and women, the latter being supervised by female staff. You cannot expect a single cell as a matter of course. Sometimes not even a mattress will be available to you. Our British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) cannot provide you with goods whilst you are in detention. See below on how your family and friends can transfer money to you and information about the UK charity Prisoners Abroad. Most Burundi prisons will not provide toiletries, standard clothing and linen; other items can be purchased directly from the prison canteen that most of the prisons have. In all prisons as a rule, sex, drugs, alcohol and cigarettes are strictly forbidden. Prison security is tough and if you are caught with drugs you will spend time in solitary confinement.
Health and Hygiene If you need medical or dental treatment, you should ask to see the prison authorities. Basic medical attention is free of charge. There are no resident prison Doctors. You will need to ask the prison warden for medical attention if you need to see a Doctor. It is unlikely that a doctor who speaks English will treat you. He may speak French, but most likely only Kirundi (the local language). If the doctor is unable to treat you, you will be sent to the nearest local hospital. If you need specialist medication or complex treatment, you will be expected to pay all associated costs. HIV/AIDS is a significant problem in prisons. If you have a long-standing medical problem and have received treatment for it in the UK, it may be useful if you have your medical records, or at least a report, sent from your Doctor to the medical Doctor treating you in the detention centre. Both Doctors would be able to link and agree on how to exchange your file.
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Note that your medical report can only be exchanged by both doctors and not through third parties due to the confidential material. There are basic washing facilities, and it is possible to shower every day. Hot water is generally not available.
How can I receive money? There are three ways in which you can receive financial assistance while in prison.
Private Funds via the FCO/High Commission: See Annex A at the end of this document.
Private Funds via commercial means e.g Western Union. You will need to sign a document authorising the Welfare Officer at your correctional facility to withdraw the money on your behalf. Once the money is withdrawn the Welfare Officer will declare it to you and then keep it on your behalf on your account.
Prisoners Abroad: if your family can’t support you financially the UK charity Prisoners Abroad may be able to send you a small grant every quarter for essentials.
If your family send money via the FCO, or you receive funding from Prisoners Abroad our British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) will convert the funds into local currency, which we will hand over to your Welfare Officer in your presence during our quarterly visits. Full details on how to transfer money are at the end of this document. Please note that inmates are not allowed to keep money with them. Your funds will be put in your account at the correctional facility where you are detained. Our staff are not responsible for the loss of any funds held on your behalf by the local authorities. Please note that our British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) cannot provide financial support to British nationals in prison in Burundi.
Can I work or study in detention? Correctional facilities have rehabilitation programmes to enable inmates to acquire skills and act as a source of income (although this is very rare). These include construction, carpentry and crafts. If you express interest, training will be offered and thereafter you are paid a commission from the sales you make. It is difficult for prisons to provide work for all prisoners, but opportunities exist. Study opportunities are sometimes available but may vary from prison to prison. Your prison wardden should be able to advise what opportunities are available. You will likely be expected to work either in the prison or on the outside. Prisoners’ work ranges from construction and road sweeping to working in the prison kitchen. Prison authorities keep most of your earnings as a contribution to your up-keep.
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Can I receive medical and dental treatment? If you need medical or dental treatment you should request it by writing to the prison warden. An appointment will then be set up to see the Doctor. In general it can be difficult to get an early appointment but if the situation is urgent you should contact the prison warden or prison social worker, who may be able to get you an appointment more quickly. Prison doctors are often the equivalent of GPs in the UK, so unusual or complex problems may be referred to a specialist outside the prison. All medical attention to detainees is provided by the Burundi government lthough some services may not be free of charge.
Food and Diet There is minimal provision of food within the prison. Prison food is free, but is rarely sufficient to fulfil your dietary needs. In Police detentions you will be given Lunch/Dinner of a maize and beans mixture. In all the Prison you will be given two basic meals a day: Breakfast of maize or sorghum porridge. Lunch/Dinner Maize meal and beans.
You will need funds to supplement your diet. Extra food can either be purchased at the canteen or brought to you by your family visitors or friends on Fridays lunch time.
All meals are local Burundian food. A special diet can only be provided on religious or medical grounds or religious grounds (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure). If you gain consent on medical grounds family or friends in Burundi can bring you home cooked food during lunch times (12:00 – 13:00) from Mondays to Sunday. You can also supplement your diet by buying fruit and other items from the prison canteen, when available.
Mail/Parcels There is usually no limit to the number of letters you may send or receive. The authorities are obliged to deliver letters with the minimum of delay. Please be aware that all letters are opened and checked by prison staff before they are given to detained persons. You can receive parcels from your family with permission from the Direction Générale des Affaires Pénitentiaires. Please be aware that parcels should be sent directly to the prison; we cannot give you parcels sent to the British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO). The prison wardens will direct you on how to send and receive parcels. Parcels should have the name
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and details of the sender. The sender must be registered with the prison authorities or the parcel will be refused. All letters and parcels will be sent through; Direction Générale des Affaires Pénitentiaires BP 200 Bujumbura, Burundi (Remember your family/friends should put your name and the name of the prison you are located at) On exceptional circumstances if your family is not in country and they would wish to pass an urgent message to you on compassionate grounds, they could email your letter to the Direction Générale des Affaires Pénitentiaires on their email address ([email protected]) and the letter would be read/scanned before passing it to you.
Can I make telephone calls? You will not have regular access to a telephone, and will not be permitted to have a mobile phone. Burundi law states detainees cannot have access to phones and you will not be allowed to make phone calls while in detention. If you are caught trying to use a mobile phone inside the prison you will be punished according to the prison’s regulations. These punishments include, but are not limited to, losing employment and education privileges, and solitary confinement. On exceptional occasions you could request for a phone call to your family in writing to the Direction Générale des Affaires Pénitentiaires and on his discretion you may be granted to make a call. All calls would be done under supervision.
Leisure and entertainment Prisons in Burundii are basic and resources are limited. Prisoners are allowed to be outside for recreational activities. English is spoken less commonly than French or Kirundi, so you may want to learn French and Kirundi, which will help communicate your needs and ease the boredom and mental isolation of prison life. You are free to walk around the prison compound all day and on very rare occasion prisoners are taken out to play soccer or basketball. Personal TVs and radios are not permitted as well as mobile phones.
Drugs Drugs that are illegal in the UK are illegal in Burundi. Use and sale of illegal drugs in Burundi is however widespread. If you are caught with illegal substances you will be punished according to prison regulations, which could include solitary confinement.
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Tobacco cigarettes are NOT allowed inside Burundi Prisons.
How can I make a complaint about mistreatment? If you have been tortured or mistreated, please inform Consular staff as soon as it is safe for you to do so. We will then do our best to visit you; to check on your welfare; discuss the allegations; and inform you of any local complaints procedures and supportive organisations that you may wish to consider. With your permission, and where appropriate, we may also be able to raise your allegations of torture and/or mistreatment with the authorities.
Is transfer to the UK a possibility? No. There is no Prisoner Transfer Agreement between Burundi and the United Kingdom.
What are the procedures for release and deportation? All applications for release are addressed to the Direction Générale des Affaires Pénitentiaires in charge of a prison. This application is as a result of a court order releasing you on bail or acquittal from a sentence. Deportation would be through the courts and immigration authorities in hand with the Générale des Affaires Pénitentiaires. This would happen after a person has served his/her sentence within the country. After you have served your sentence, you will be released and you will have to book your own accommodation. You will also have to book your own ticket to go back to your country of residence (if you are not a resident in Burundi). You should present your plane ticket to Burundi immigration so they are able to return your passport to you as you depart from the airport.
Prisoners Abroad Since 1978 the charity Prisoners Abroad has offered practical support and advice to British citizens imprisoned overseas. It is the only UK charity providing this service and it is available to all, whether guilty or innocent, convicted or on remand. Prisoners Abroad is concerned with your health and welfare, both during your imprisonment and also on your return to the UK, through their resettlement service (if you have registered whilst in prison). They can also provide support and advice to your family during your imprisonment. In order to access any services, prisoners must first register with Prisoners Abroad by signing and returning an authorisation form. Once you seek help from Prisoners Abroad, the Prisoner & Family Support Service will be your point of contact for advice and information. The type of assistance they can offer will vary from country to country, but generally they can provide you with information, in English, on:
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your rights as a prisoner and issues that may affect you such as health or transfer to the UK
obtaining magazines, newspapers, books and the regular Prisoners Abroad newsletter
writing to a pen pal
learning the language of your country of imprisonment
translation of documents
grants for food if you are in a developing country and don’t have funds from other sources
grants for essential medicines and toiletries if you don’t have funds from other sources
preparing for release
help for your loved ones, including information, family support groups and assistance with the cost of visiting
Prisoners Abroad 89 – 93 Fonthill Road London N4 3JH UK Telephone: 00 44 (0)20 7561 6820 or, for your relatives in the UK, Freephone 0808 172 0098 (Mondays to Fridays 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, UK time). If calling from outside the UK 00 44 20 7561 6820. Email: [email protected] Website: www.prisonersabroad.org.uk Other support groups include:
Prison Fellowship International Prison Fellowship is a Christian organisation that gives support and help to people of all religions and those with none. It has members in 88 countries; they can visit or write to prisoners. They also work with ex-prisoners and their families through their local group network. Prison Fellowship, England and Wales PO Box 945 Maldon Essex CM9 4EW Tel: 0044 (0) 1621 843 232 Fax: 0044 (0) 1621 843 303 Email: [email protected] Prison Fellowship, Scotland 110 St James Road Glasgow G4 0PS Tel/fax: 0044 (0)141 552 1288 Email: [email protected] Prison Fellowship, Northern Ireland 39 University Street Belfast BT7 1FY
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Tel/fax: 0044 (0)2890 243 691 Email: [email protected]
The Salvation Army They can arrange to visit prisoners overseas through their international service. The Salvation Army International HQ 101 Queen Victoria Street London EC4P 4EP Tel: 0044(0)20 7332 0101 Fax: 0044(0)20 7329 6970
ANNEX A
OPTIONS TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO BRITISH NATIONALS OVERSEAS VIA THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Please note that we can only advance funds to the person overseas once your payment has cleared in our account. 1. Electronic Bank transfers
Payment by electronic/internet bank transfer can be made either using online or telephone banking, or at your local bank or building society. For all bank transfers, you will need to include the following details:
Bank: National Westminster Bank Account Name: FCO Multi Vote Sort Code: 60-70-80 Account Number: 10012362 Reference: FCO case reference number, surname and first name of
the person you are sending the funds for, plus country name if possible,
e.g. 11-THB-123456 SMITH JOE - THAILAND or CON-1234 SMITH JOE – THAILAND
IBAN GB56NWBK60708010012362 SWIFT/BIC NWBKGB2L You may also need our bank address which is: National Westminster Bank, Government Banking, CST PO Box 2027, Parkland, De Havilland Way, Howich, Bolton, BL6 4YU
2. By Post Payments by Postal Order, Bankers Draft, Building Society Cheque or personal cheque should be crossed and made payable to “The Foreign and Commonwealth Office”. They should be sent to:
Accounts Receivable
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office Corporate Service Centre PO Box 6108 Milton Keynes MK10 1PX
We recommend that you use Special Delivery.
Please ensure that you include a note briefly explaining who the money is for, why you are sending these funds and quoting the FCO case reference number. You may wish to use the payment slip on the next page.
If you would like a receipt, please include a stamped addressed envelope.
Please note that it can take approximately 15 days for personal cheques to clear and for payment to be received. Please write the cheque guarantee number and expiry date, and the FCO case reference number, on the back of the cheque.
We are unable to receive payment by credit or debit card, or by cash. To: Foreign and Commonwealth Office FCO case reference number: Date: Please find enclosed funds for: Full Name: Country/place the above is in: Amount enclosed: Fee to be deducted: Payment method: My name is:
My address is:
Disclaimer This booklet was compiled by the British High Commission in Kigali. It is revised on a regular annually basis. If any of the information contained in this booklet is incorrect, please draw inaccuracies to our attention so that we can investigate and make amendments as necessary. The British High Commission in Rwanda is not accountable for the information provided in this booklet. Local proceedings are subject to change at any time. Thank you.
UNCLASSIFIED
19 UNCLASSIFIED
5th July 2018
