Under the Nationality and Borders Act of 2022, Britain announces that descendants of Chagossians born on the islands are now able to apply for British and/or British Overseas Territory citizenship (without an application fee).

A Mauritian survey ship travels to the Archipelago ahead of a hearing before the UN’s maritime court. Five Chagossians are also onboard, able to return home for the first time without an accompanying British military/police escort. (Photos, credit The Guardian)

Chagosssians made a case in the UK Court of Appeal, appealing a High Court dismissal of a prior claim that the 2016 government decision to reject their right to return to their homeland was a breach of their human rights.

Solange Hoareau, a Chagossian born on the islands exiled to the Seychelles, and Olivier Bancoult, born on Peros Banhos, exiled to Mauritius and now leader of Chagos Refugees Group, have jointly brought this case. 

Lawyers representing Chagossians have argued in court that with the UK in effective control of the Chagos Islands, they remain liable for human rights abuses committed there. The decision not to allow Chagossians to return to their islands in 2016, it has been stated this week, constitutes such an abuse.

It's also been noted in court that Chagossians exiled to the Seychelles, like Solange Hoareau, have never received any compensation for their exile.  ..  READ MORE

Multiple generations of Chagossians take part in a 5-day occupation of London’s Trafalgar Square. The protest is part of a greater effort to demand long-denied rights to British citizenship, passports, etc. for forcibly exiled Chagossians and their descendants–many of whom face the threat of deportation. (Photo, occupation @ Trafalgar Square, credit WRP UK News Line)

Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965

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On 22 June 2017 the General Assembly adopted resolution 71/292, in which, referring to Article 65 of the Statute of the Court, it requested the Court to render an advisory opinion on the following questions:

“(a) Was the process of decolonization of Mauritius lawfully completed when Mauritius was granted independence in 1968, following the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius and having regard to international law, including obligations reflected in General Assembly resolutions 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, 2066 (XX) of 16 December 1965, 2232 (XXI) of 20 December 1966 and 2357 (XXII) of 19 December 1967?;
(b) What are the consequences under international law, including obligations reflected in the above-mentioned resolutions, arising from the continued administration by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of the Chagos Archipelago, including with respect to the inability of Mauritius to implement a programme for the resettlement on the Chagos Archipelago of its nationals, in particular those of Chagossian origin?” . .. .READ MORE

UK government decides against Chagossians’ resettlement in the archipelago, again: 
Following the KPMG study, the UK Government decides against resettlement of the Chagossian people to the Chagos Archipelago “on the grounds of feasibility, defense and security interests, and cost to the British taxpayer.”

February 2015

The UK releases findings from the latest Feasibility Report. The new study confirms the viability of Chagossians resettling their islands, though there would be “significant challenges” including “long-term liabilities for the United Kingdom taxpayer.”

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European Parliament passes a resolution calling on the EU to support the Chagossians' resettlement of the Chagos Archipelago.