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Kenyan veterans in UK court bid Kenyan veterans in UK court bid
(about 1 hour later)
A case against the British government brought by veterans of Kenya's independence struggle has been lodged at the High Court.A case against the British government brought by veterans of Kenya's independence struggle has been lodged at the High Court.
Three men and two women have launched a compensation claim for alleged human rights abuses in the 1950s and 1960s.Three men and two women have launched a compensation claim for alleged human rights abuses in the 1950s and 1960s.
Thousands of people were rounded up and forced into camps by the British during what was known as the Mau Mau uprising.Thousands of people were rounded up and forced into camps by the British during what was known as the Mau Mau uprising.
The UK says the claim is not valid because of the amount of time since the abuses were alleged to have happened.The UK says the claim is not valid because of the amount of time since the abuses were alleged to have happened.
The five Kenyans - aged in their 70s and 80s - are the lead claimants in the reparations case.The five Kenyans - aged in their 70s and 80s - are the lead claimants in the reparations case.
'Beaten and castrated''Beaten and castrated'
They want the British government to acknowledge responsibility for atrocities in the pre-independence era and to compensate them.They want the British government to acknowledge responsibility for atrocities in the pre-independence era and to compensate them.
Their lawyer, Martyn Day, said he believed his clients had "a good chance of success".Their lawyer, Martyn Day, said he believed his clients had "a good chance of success".
He added that the British government of the time had given "a blank cheque" to camp guards in their attempts to force people to abandon the resistance movement.He added that the British government of the time had given "a blank cheque" to camp guards in their attempts to force people to abandon the resistance movement.
Mr Day told a news conference: "We want the British government to say what we did was so wrong back in the 1950s.Mr Day told a news conference: "We want the British government to say what we did was so wrong back in the 1950s.
Not a day goes by when I do not think of these terrible events Ndiku Mutua Your views: Kenya Mau Mau caseNot a day goes by when I do not think of these terrible events Ndiku Mutua Your views: Kenya Mau Mau case
"What did we do in the period just after the Second World War, how many atrocities were we responsible for in that terrible period?""What did we do in the period just after the Second World War, how many atrocities were we responsible for in that terrible period?"
Ndiku Mutua, one of the five, said: "I live with the physical and mental scars of what happened to me.Ndiku Mutua, one of the five, said: "I live with the physical and mental scars of what happened to me.
"Not a day goes by when I do not think of these terrible events. At last I can tell my story and at last I can hope for justice from the British courts.""Not a day goes by when I do not think of these terrible events. At last I can tell my story and at last I can hope for justice from the British courts."
Mr Mutua said that in 1954 he was arrested, severely beaten and castrated with pliers, at Lukenya detention centre.Mr Mutua said that in 1954 he was arrested, severely beaten and castrated with pliers, at Lukenya detention centre.
Another claimant, Paulo Nzili, also said he was castrated. Wambugu Wa Nyingi said he was tied upside down by the feet and beaten.Another claimant, Paulo Nzili, also said he was castrated. Wambugu Wa Nyingi said he was tied upside down by the feet and beaten.
'Sexual assault''Sexual assault'
Jane Muthoni Mara and Susan Ngondi said they were sexually assaulted.Jane Muthoni Mara and Susan Ngondi said they were sexually assaulted.
The government has indicated that the claim is invalid because of the time that has passed and that any liability rested with the Kenyan authorities after independence in 1963.The government has indicated that the claim is invalid because of the time that has passed and that any liability rested with the Kenyan authorities after independence in 1963.
An armed movement began in central Kenya during the 1950s with the aim of getting back land seized by British colonial authorities.An armed movement began in central Kenya during the 1950s with the aim of getting back land seized by British colonial authorities.
Veterans of the war say they suffered barbaric treatment, including torture, as the British suppressed the rebellion.Veterans of the war say they suffered barbaric treatment, including torture, as the British suppressed the rebellion.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission has said 90,000 Kenyans were executed, tortured or maimed during the crackdown, and 160,000 were detained in appalling conditions.The Kenya Human Rights Commission has said 90,000 Kenyans were executed, tortured or maimed during the crackdown, and 160,000 were detained in appalling conditions.
Historians say the Mau Mau movement helped Kenya achieve independence.Historians say the Mau Mau movement helped Kenya achieve independence.
Were you in Kenya in the 1950s? What are your memories of the Mau Mau uprising? Send us your comments.Were you in Kenya in the 1950s? What are your memories of the Mau Mau uprising? Send us your comments.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions