A High Court judge's injunction has delayed negotiations for the controversial transfer of the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius, a move that could have significant implications for both British military presence and Chagossian rights.
**Chagos Islands Deal Stalled by High Court Ruling**
**Chagos Islands Deal Stalled by High Court Ruling**
Legal injunction halts UK negotiations over the transfer of Chagos Islands to Mauritius amidst ongoing Chagossian displacement concerns.
The UK government is facing legal challenges that have paused its intended signing of a deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining military access. Judge Mr. Justice Goose issued an interim relief order preventing any binding agreement until a full hearing, emphasizing the necessity of discussing the potential transfer with the affected Chagossian community.
The Chagos Islands, stripped from Mauritius in 1965 during its colonial history, has since been a contentious issue due to the forced removal of islanders for the establishment of a US military base on Diego Garcia. Two Chagossian women, Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, initiated the legal action asserting that the UK government is sidelining their rights and ancestral claims in negotiations with Mauritius.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was set to participate in a virtual signing ceremony, which has now been suspended pending the court's decision. Despite the government's assertion that the deal is essential for national security, critics argue that the historical mistreatment of the Chagossians continues to be overlooked in the discussions.
The judge's order signals that the UK must maintain jurisdiction over the islands until otherwise stated, highlighting a legal and moral obligation to consider the input of the descendants of the original inhabitants. Many members of the Chagossian community express a desire for self-determination, with calls for genuine consultation, given the long legacy of displacement they have endured.
International bodies have increasingly urged the UK to address the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, with a growing consensus supporting Mauritius's claims. As the court prepares to hear the case again shortly, political parties and stakeholders across the UK are voicing their positions on what the future of the archipelago should entail, showcasing the divided opinions within the country regarding this colonial legacy.
The Chagos Islands, stripped from Mauritius in 1965 during its colonial history, has since been a contentious issue due to the forced removal of islanders for the establishment of a US military base on Diego Garcia. Two Chagossian women, Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, initiated the legal action asserting that the UK government is sidelining their rights and ancestral claims in negotiations with Mauritius.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was set to participate in a virtual signing ceremony, which has now been suspended pending the court's decision. Despite the government's assertion that the deal is essential for national security, critics argue that the historical mistreatment of the Chagossians continues to be overlooked in the discussions.
The judge's order signals that the UK must maintain jurisdiction over the islands until otherwise stated, highlighting a legal and moral obligation to consider the input of the descendants of the original inhabitants. Many members of the Chagossian community express a desire for self-determination, with calls for genuine consultation, given the long legacy of displacement they have endured.
International bodies have increasingly urged the UK to address the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, with a growing consensus supporting Mauritius's claims. As the court prepares to hear the case again shortly, political parties and stakeholders across the UK are voicing their positions on what the future of the archipelago should entail, showcasing the divided opinions within the country regarding this colonial legacy.
