MMore than 50 years ago, Britain began forcibly removing entire indigenous populations from islands in the Indian Ocean to build military bases with the United States. Britain itself admits that it was a disgrace. Some human rights groups say they have committed crimes against humanity. Now Britain has taken an important step to address that injustice. The transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius under the deal announced yesterday will enable the return of first and second generation islanders and draw a symbolic line under the empire in Africa.
Liz Truss's government started the process, but it was a chance for Conservative leadership candidates to slam Labor with the Union Jack. “Weak, weak, weak!” wrote James Cleverley, who first announced the negotiations as Foreign Secretary. Rivals called it a “shameful” and “dangerous surrender.” Nigel Farage claimed the US would be furious if Washington issued a statement welcome agreement. An agreement on this important strategic asset would not have been possible without U.S. approval and consultation with India. Mauritius guarantees the operation of the US- and UK-operated Diego Garcia base for 99 years.
After years of campaigning by islanders, the British government was dragged to the negotiating table by pressure from African countries and legal rulings. In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the continued occupation was illegal, and the United Nations General Assembly voted 116-6 to support a motion to set a six-month deadline for withdrawal. Two years later, the UN's Special International Admiralty Tribunal rejected Britain's sovereignty claims. Governments that abide by international law should be praised, not condemned.
Those who ask what this means for Britain might consider what it means for Chagossians. Britain's original sin has worsened over the years. Many people have died since they were forced into exile. Islanders do not have the right to resettle on Diego Garcia, but they would likely live on the island if they were allowed to work on the base. Olivier Bancourt, president of the Chagos Refugee Group, welcomed the decision but said Chagossians would “speak out” if Mauritius did not fulfill its responsibilities. their voices weren't heard enough Even during this negotiation. Chagossians do not see Mauritius as an indifferent guarantor of their rights. A significant number wanted self-determination.
Chagossians are descendants of enslaved Africans trafficked by the French to work on plantations. The sins of the 1960s and ’70s were enabled and defended by racism in public service. One official called the islanders “a few Tarzans and Man Fridays.” Most of them were imprisoned in Mauritius and Seychelles. Until 2002, they were unable to claim residency and citizenship in the UK, and many descendants of the original islanders are still unable to do so. trauma I've endured.
While some are happy at the prospect of returning home, others are now unlikely to return and would rather focus on securing adequate reparations and their rights in the UK and elsewhere. There is. Little of the £40m 'support package' announced by the government in 2016 has been spent. The creation of a new trust fund and its use will be key. Mistakes cannot always be undone, especially if time has passed. But relief is essential, and this announcement should be the beginning of a process centered on Chagos residents.
