Monday, May 19, 2003
Kenya to sue UK for human rights abuse
Agence France-Presse Nairobi, May 18
NAIROBI, May 18 (AFP) - Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) is preparing a suit against Britain, as part of efforts to win compensation for alleged human rights abuses in the 1950s and 1960s.
"KHRC has started recording statements from former Mau Mau fighters, victims and survivors of torture and detention for purposes of formulating a test suit against the British government for possible reparation claims," KRHC executive director Willy Mutunga said in a statement to AFP on Sunday. "Primary data and affidavit will be prepared for the purpose of the intended preliminary suit," Mutunga said.
Mutunga said there was overwhelming evidence to prove that Britain violated human rights while suppressing the independence movement that emerged after Britain declared a state of emergency in Kenya in 1952.
"Britain indeed resorted to the worst human rights atrocities after declaring a state of emergency in Kenya in 1952 in a bid to crush the popular Mau Mau war of independence and retain control over Kenya," Mutunga said.
Last November, at least 1,500 Mau Mau veterans gave accounts of torture and other abuses to London-based Martin Day of Leigh and Day law firm. British occupation in Kenya, which officially started in 1895, culminated in the massive appropriation of the country's fertile farmlands by colonial settlers.
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