British military refute rape claims

by: Sam Mwangi

Kenya: The British government has rejected claims by a group of Kenyan women who were allegedly raped by British soldiers during military training exercises which have taken place in the country over the last three decades.

The Ministry of Defence has recently sent forensic experts to investigate the alleged crimes - that stretch back to the early 1970’s and continued until last year - after the victims filed a law suit against the British military and demanded compensation and a public inquiry.

Reports from the British High Commission in Nairobi suggest that, after the investigation and examination of police and clinical records, military experts determine that most of the entries were forgeries, thus undermining the women’s claims.

Martyn Day, a London-based lawyer representing the women, said, “We want to know the truth.” And although it is not yet clear what will happen following the British government’s investigations, Mr Day confirmed that “the documents will be crucial in the court case”.

In mid August 2003, over 600 poor Kenyan women from the mount Kenya region took to the streets of Nairobi in protest at the rapes, which they say were carried out by training troops. The women also presented a petition to the British High Commissioner. Most of the women came to the demonstration with their mixed race children and were dressed in traditional outfits, singing and waving placards as they travelled through the streets.

Last year the British government paid £4.5m in out of court settlements to the families of people killed and injured by landmines left by troops who had been training in the region.

For more information
http://www.amnestyinternational.org.