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A call from a UN panel has been made urging the UK to reevaluate a recent deal regarding the return of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, citing concerns that the agreement “fails to guarantee” the rights of the Chagossian people. The deal, which was signed in the previous month, granted sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago back to Mauritius; however, the UK maintained the authority to operate a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos group.
The UN experts expressed their worry that by continuing to prevent the Chagossian people from returning to Diego Garcia, the agreement may not align with the Chagossians’ right to go back to their homeland. A spokesperson from the Foreign Office defended the UK-Mauritius deal, stating that it had received positive feedback from international organizations, including the UN secretary general.
The panel, consisting of four independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, highlighted that the existence of the military base on Diego Garcia impeded the Chagossian people from exercising their cultural rights and accessing their ancestral lands. They have called for the suspension of the current agreement and proposed the initiation of a new round of negotiations. Moreover, the panel raised concerns regarding the lack of provisions in the deal related to facilitating the Chagossian people’s access to cultural sites on Diego Garcia and conserving their unique heritage.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel criticized the Conservatives for what she considers a detrimental deal for British taxpayers and the Chagossian community. Patel announced the introduction of a bill in Parliament designed to block the agreement and compel the government to engage with the individuals affected by the agreement. Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords have until 3 July to pass a resolution opposing the ratification of the deal
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