(CNN) -- Decades after they endured torture, thousands of Kenyan freedom fighters will get compensation from the UK government, potentially opening the floodgates for colonial-era claims from other former British colonies.
The British government apologized for the human rights violations and announced about £19.9 million ($30 million) in settlement Thursday after years of litigation between the two sides.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the government "sincerely regrets" the torture of Mau Mau fighters as the government settled a long-running lawsuit from elderly victims.
"This is part of a process of reconciliation," Hague said.
Survivors who suffered castration, rape, beatings and detention in prison camps and other torture have sought compensation for the colonial-era injustices.
Plaintiffs provided evidence of torture, and the amount of payout will be based on the scale, according to Donald Rabala, an attorney representing some of the veterans.
The British government apologized for the human rights violations and announced about £19.9 million ($30 million) in settlement Thursday after years of litigation between the two sides.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the government "sincerely regrets" the torture of Mau Mau fighters as the government settled a long-running lawsuit from elderly victims.
"This is part of a process of reconciliation," Hague said.
Survivors who suffered castration, rape, beatings and detention in prison camps and other torture have sought compensation for the colonial-era injustices.
Plaintiffs provided evidence of torture, and the amount of payout will be based on the scale, according to Donald Rabala, an attorney representing some of the veterans.
30 million doesn't seem like it's enough. A royal wedding is between 1 and 10 Billion dollars.