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Mau Mau case: Hague to express regret and detail compensation Mau Mau torture victims to receive compensation - Hague
(35 minutes later)
The UK government is to express regret and announce compensation for Kenyans who were tortured during the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya in the 1950s and 60s. Kenyans tortured by British colonial forces during the Mau Mau uprising will receive payouts totalling £20m, Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced.
Foreign Secretary William Hague is expected to announce compensation in the region of £14m. He said the UK government recognised Kenyans were tortured and it "sincerely regrets" the abuses that took place.
More than 5,000 Kenyans say they were mistreated - some through torture - by the then-British administration. A lawyer for the victims said they "at last have the recognition and justice they have sought for many years".
The British fought a bitter battle with Mau Mau insurgents who were demanding land and an end to colonial rule. Thousands of people were killed during the Mau Mau revolt against British rule in Kenya in the 1950s.
Victims have been fighting for compensation from the UK government for a number of years. Mr Hague also announced plans to support the construction of a permanent memorial to the victims of torture and ill treatment during the colonial era in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
The BBC understands Mr Hague will express "sincere regret" to the victims while announcing the compensation package in the Commons. "I would like to like to make clear now, and for the first time, on behalf of Her Majesty's government that we understand the pain and grievance felt by those who were involved in the events of the emergency in Kenya," he told the Commons.
It is also understood the government will announce plans to fund a permanent memorial to the victims in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. "The British government recognises that Kenyans were subject to torture, and other forms of ill-treatment at the hands of the colonial administration.
'Not acceptable' "The British government sincerely regrets that these abuses took place and that they marred Kenya's progress towards independence. Torture and ill treatment are abhorrent violations of human dignity which we unreservedly condemn."
One survivor, Mwai Wanughigi, said there had been no consultation over the amount victims would receive. Mr Hague said 5,228 victims would receive payments totalling £19.9m following an agreement with lawyers acting for the victims, who have been fighting for compensation for a number of years.
'Significant moment'
Martyn Day, of law firm Leigh Day, praised Mr Hague, adding: "It takes courage to publically acknowledge for the first time the terrible nature of Britain's past in Kenya."
He said many Kenyans had suffered "horrific" crimes at the hands of colonial forces which had gone "unrecognised and unpunished for decades".
"Although they occurred many years ago, the physical and mental scars remain," he said.
"Many of those who were detained and tortured were never tried and had little or nothing to do with the Mau Mau insurgency.
"The elderly victims of torture now at last have the recognition and justice they have sought for many years. For them this significance of this moment cannot be over emphasised."
One survivor, Mwai Wanughigi, said there had been no consultation over the amount of money victims would receive.
He said the figure - which is said to work out at about 350,000 Kenyan shillings, about £2,700 per claimant - was inadequate.He said the figure - which is said to work out at about 350,000 Kenyan shillings, about £2,700 per claimant - was inadequate.
"These people were relocated, deprived of everything, today they are not able to buy anything when you give them 350,000 Kenyan shillings - and I assure everybody, that figure is not acceptable by any standard," he told the BBC World Service's Newsday programme. "These people were relocated, deprived of everything, today they are not able to buy anything when you give them 350,000 Kenyan shillings - and I assure everybody, that figure is not acceptable by any standard," he told the BBC World Service's Newsday programme before the announcement.
The government had initially argued that all liabilities for the torture by colonial authorities had been transferred to the Kenyan Republic upon independence in 1963 and that it could not be held liable now.The government had initially argued that all liabilities for the torture by colonial authorities had been transferred to the Kenyan Republic upon independence in 1963 and that it could not be held liable now.
But in 2011, the High Court in London ruled that four claimants did have "arguable cases in law".But in 2011, the High Court in London ruled that four claimants did have "arguable cases in law".
Their lawyers allege Paulo Muoka Nzili was castrated, Wambuga Wa Nyingi was severely beaten and Jane Muthoni Mara was subjected to appalling sexual abuse in detention camps during the rebellion. A fourth claimant, Ndiku Mutwiwa Mutua, died last year.Their lawyers allege Paulo Muoka Nzili was castrated, Wambuga Wa Nyingi was severely beaten and Jane Muthoni Mara was subjected to appalling sexual abuse in detention camps during the rebellion. A fourth claimant, Ndiku Mutwiwa Mutua, died last year.
'Historic judgement''Historic judgement'
After the ruling, the case went back to the High Court to consider a claim by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) that the actions had been brought outside the legal time limit.After the ruling, the case went back to the High Court to consider a claim by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) that the actions had been brought outside the legal time limit.
The FCO said it had faced "irredeemable difficulties" in relation to the availability of witnesses and documents.The FCO said it had faced "irredeemable difficulties" in relation to the availability of witnesses and documents.
But in October last year, the court ruled the victims had established a proper case and allowed their claims to proceed to trial despite the time elapsed.But in October last year, the court ruled the victims had established a proper case and allowed their claims to proceed to trial despite the time elapsed.
At the time, a lawyer for the three hailed it as a "historic" judgement. At the time, victims' lawyer Mr Day hailed it as a "historic" judgement.
Martyn Day said he would be pressing for a trial "as quickly as possible" but would also be pushing for the government to reach an out-of-court settlement. Mr Day said he would be pressing for a trial "as quickly as possible" but would also be pushing for the government to reach an out-of-court settlement.
The Mau Mau, a guerrilla group, began a violent campaign against white settlers in 1952, but the uprising was eventually put down by the British colonial government.The Mau Mau, a guerrilla group, began a violent campaign against white settlers in 1952, but the uprising was eventually put down by the British colonial government.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission says 90,000 Kenyans were executed, tortured or maimed, and 160,000 people were detained in appalling conditions.The Kenya Human Rights Commission says 90,000 Kenyans were executed, tortured or maimed, and 160,000 people were detained in appalling conditions.