Chagossians Appeal to UN Over Starmer’s Controversial Island Deal

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Chagossians Appeal to UN Over Starmer’s Controversial Island Deal

 

The UK government’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back a military base has come under fresh scrutiny, as campaigners escalate their challenge to the United Nations. Sir Keir Starmer’s deal, which has already faced legal resistance in the UK, is now being reported to the UN’s human rights committee in Geneva. Critics claim the agreement violates the fundamental rights of displaced Chagossians and ignores their long-standing demand to return to their homeland.

 

 

Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, British citizens originally from the Chagos Islands, are leading the charge against the deal. Last month, they made an urgent appeal to the High Court in an attempt to halt the agreement before it was finalized. The dramatic overnight injunction they secured was overturned the following day, and the UK proceeded with its plan to pay Mauritius up to £30 billion over 99 years in exchange for maintaining a military presence on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago.

 

 

Undeterred, Dugasse and Pompe are now turning to the UN, asking its human rights committee to issue an advisory opinion on the legality of the UK-Mauritius deal. They argue that it breaches five articles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, particularly those relating to self-determination, freedom of movement, the right to return, and minority protections.

 

In their letter to the committee, seen by The Telegraph, the campaigners assert that the agreement “would amount to a definitive and irreversible endorsement of a continuing violation originally initiated by the colonial power.” The letter continues: “By excluding the Chagossian people from the process and de facto accepting their permanent displacement, the agreement entrenches the denial of their right to return and the effective exercise of their cultural, spiritual rights.”

 

Although the UN committee lacks the authority to cancel the deal, its opinion could carry significant diplomatic weight and put pressure on the UK government to reconsider its approach. This would place the UN human rights committee in a potentially contentious position with the International Court of Justice, which in 2019 ruled that the UK should relinquish control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

 

Opposition to the deal is also emerging within the UK Parliament. Members from the Conservative and Reform parties, as well as peers in the House of Lords, have voiced strong objections. They argue that the agreement disregards both national security interests and the moral obligation to the Chagossian people. Nonetheless, the UK government maintains that the military base is crucial and must continue operating within a legal framework under international law.

 

The Chagossians were forcibly removed from their homeland between the late 1960s and early 1970s to make room for the military installation. Today, between 1,400 and 1,700 people remain in exile, many of whom feel betrayed by the lack of consultation and exclusion from the current agreement. Critics emphasize that the deal contains no provisions for allowing displaced islanders to return to Diego Garcia.

 

Bertrice Pompe declared, “The fight is not over. There is nothing in that treaty for Chagossians and we will fight.” Her sentiment reflects growing frustration among the diaspora, who view the agreement as yet another instance of colonial-era injustice being perpetuated by modern governments.

Toby Noskwith, who coordinated the recent High Court action, added: “I pity the poor souls in the No 10 press office who are being ordered to justify Keir Starmer’s betrayal of the Chagossian people. We’re looking forward to the explanation of why the UN human rights committee doesn’t matter. Not pausing the Chagos deal until the Committee rules is indefensible.”

 

As the campaign moves to an international stage, the outcome could have lasting implications for the future of the Chagossian people—and the UK’s standing on human rights and colonial accountability.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-06-07

 

 

[Tailwagsdog]

FACT: the Chagos islands were uninhabited when discovered by the French. The British took control of the islands in the 18th century and brought people from Africa to work on the islands. They effectively became British subjects and were removed by the British Government in the 1960s to make way for military operations. The UK government is paying 30 billion to Mauritius for what reason? Mauritius has no legal or historical basis to the Chagos islands. This is madness...!!!