Chagossians move to halt talks between the UK and Mauritius

A legal attempt has been launched to halt negotiations between the UK and Mauritius over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, claiming Chagossian people’s views are being ignored.

Bernadette Dugasse, who was born on Diego Garcia, an island which has been at the centre of international dispute, is seeking judicial review of the government’s approach to the talks.

In a pre-action letter sent to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), lawyers representing Dugasse argue that the negotiations are unlawful as they “are being held without consulting her and the Chagossian people”.

Dugasse, with the support of other former inhabitants and their descendants, is seeking a pause in the talks “so that the former residents and their families are properly consulted with respect of the negotiations on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands”.

Mauritius PM announced recently that talks were on with the UK and the US – and the military base on Diego Garcia would be maintained for “security purposes”.

Source: The Guardian