Legal action by Chagossian women advocates for their rights amid ongoing negotiations.
**Chagos Islands Transfer Deal Halted by Court Intervention**
**Chagos Islands Transfer Deal Halted by Court Intervention**
A last-minute legal injunction pauses negotiations between the UK and Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands.
The UK government's negotiations for the transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius have been unexpectedly halted following a High Court judge's injunction. Mr. Justice Goose granted "interim relief" to two Chagossian women, Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, who initiated the legal proceedings against the Foreign Office. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was anticipated to participate in a virtual signing ceremony with Mauritius officials on Thursday, marking the potential return of the islands to Mauritius, alongside continued UK and US use of the key military base on Diego Garcia for a duration of 99 years.
Authorities have not disclosed the anticipated financial compensation, though estimates suggest it could run into billions for British taxpayers. In a statement, a government spokesperson emphasized the importance of the deal for national security, declining further comment on the ongoing legal situation. Mauritius's Attorney General, Gavin Glover, refrained from comments ahead of a court hearing scheduled for Thursday morning.
The High Court order specifically instructed that no legally binding actions be taken regarding the transfer of British Indian Ocean Territory, asserting the UK's jurisdiction over the islands until further notice. This decision underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding the rights of the Chagossian community, many of whom remain disconnected from decisions impacting their homeland.
The Chagossians, forcibly removed in the 1970s to make way for the US military base, have voiced concerns about exclusion from negotiations. Their legal representative, Michael Polak, denounced the government's handling of the situation as a continuation of historical injustices, emphasizing the community's ties to the islands. A planned meeting with Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty aims to discuss the sovereignty matter with Chagossian representatives.
The Chagos Islands have a contentious history, previously severed from Mauritius during British colonial rule in 1965. International pressure has mounted on the UK regarding the islands' sovereignty, with recent endorsements of Mauritius's claims by the United Nations. Following this court intervention, criticism arose from the opposition, branding the government's proposed deal as detrimental to national defense interests.
As discussions regarding the Chagos Islands continue, the path forward remains fraught with legal, historical, and emotional complexities, highlighting the need for a resolution that honors the rights and heritage of the Chagossian people.
Authorities have not disclosed the anticipated financial compensation, though estimates suggest it could run into billions for British taxpayers. In a statement, a government spokesperson emphasized the importance of the deal for national security, declining further comment on the ongoing legal situation. Mauritius's Attorney General, Gavin Glover, refrained from comments ahead of a court hearing scheduled for Thursday morning.
The High Court order specifically instructed that no legally binding actions be taken regarding the transfer of British Indian Ocean Territory, asserting the UK's jurisdiction over the islands until further notice. This decision underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding the rights of the Chagossian community, many of whom remain disconnected from decisions impacting their homeland.
The Chagossians, forcibly removed in the 1970s to make way for the US military base, have voiced concerns about exclusion from negotiations. Their legal representative, Michael Polak, denounced the government's handling of the situation as a continuation of historical injustices, emphasizing the community's ties to the islands. A planned meeting with Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty aims to discuss the sovereignty matter with Chagossian representatives.
The Chagos Islands have a contentious history, previously severed from Mauritius during British colonial rule in 1965. International pressure has mounted on the UK regarding the islands' sovereignty, with recent endorsements of Mauritius's claims by the United Nations. Following this court intervention, criticism arose from the opposition, branding the government's proposed deal as detrimental to national defense interests.
As discussions regarding the Chagos Islands continue, the path forward remains fraught with legal, historical, and emotional complexities, highlighting the need for a resolution that honors the rights and heritage of the Chagossian people.
