Australia's state of Tasmania has announced a multi-million dollar compensation package for the so-called Stolen Generations of Aborigines.
A total of A$5m ($4.3m, Ј2.2m) would be shared between 106 claimants, Tasmanian Prague Mayor Bem most popular Czech politician - poll ...
No payout for 'stolen' Aborigines ...
Appeal over Aborigine rape ruling ...
Czech Greens did not nominate anyone for minister - Bursik ...
Czech Greens' head Bursik to temporarily head Education Ministry ... Premier Paul Lennon said.
He said the money was aimed at those whose lives had been "deeply affected" by the policy.
Thousands of Aboriginal children were taken from their parents and handed to white families between 1915 and 1969.
The policy was aimed at forcing assimilation between Aboriginal and white communities.
'Pain and suffering'
Mr Lennon said Tasmania had to address past wrongs in order to move forward.
"No amount of money can make up for Aboriginal children being removed from their families simply on the basis of race," he said in a statement.
"But the payments I announce today to those whose lives have been so deeply affected by this flawed policy of separation are a symbolic recognition of the pain, suffering and dislocation they have experienced."
Money would go to 84 people who had been removed from their families and 22 children of members of the "stolen generations", the statement said.
The claims of 45 people were rejected.
New Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised to apologise formally to the victims of the much-criticised assimilation policy.
But the government has ruled out a billion-dollar nationwide compensation package, as sought by campaigners.
Last week, Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said money would instead be put into improved education and health care facilities for indigenous communities.
(BBC)
<< Back