London: The High Court ruled on Friday that three elderly Kenyans tortured during a rebellion against British colonial rule can proceed with compensation claims against the UK government, a case with potentially broad implications for thousands of others who claim similar abuse.
The case involves Kenyans who say they were beaten and sexually assaulted by officers acting for the British administration trying to suppress the "Mau Mau" rebellion in the 1950s. Groups of Kenyans had attacked British officials and white farmers who had settled in some of Kenya`s most fertile lands.
The British government expressed disappointment with the decision and said it would appeal. But it did "not dispute that each of the claimants in this case suffered torture and other ill treatment at the hands of the colonial administration."
The government had sought to have the case dismissed, arguing it could not be held legally responsible for the abuses. It had argued that the liabilities of the colonial administration passed onto the Kenyan government upon the country`s independence from Britain in 1963.
"The normal time limit for bringing a civil action is three to six years," the Foreign Office said in a statement. "In this case, that period has been extended to over 50 years, despite the fact that the key decision makers are dead and unable to give their account of what happened."
The book "Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britain`s Gulag in Kenya" helped prompt the legal action. The author, Caroline Elkins, called today`s ruling "seismic" and said Britain will now have to answer for injustices in all its former colonies.
"For the Kenyan victims of British colonial torture, it acknowledges their unimaginable sufferings and validates their humanity. It also serves as a reminder to all governments that regardless of how much time has passed, they can and will be held accountable," she said by email. "Today`s ruling is a victory not only for the Mau Mau claimants, but for victims of colonial torture throughout the former British Empire."
PTI
