The injunction, issued to two Chagossian women, prevents the UK government from finalizing a deal with Mauritius concerning the historic transfer of the islands while raising questions about the rights of the Chagossian community.
**Chagos Islands Deal Halted Amid Last-Minute Legal Challenge**
**Chagos Islands Deal Halted Amid Last-Minute Legal Challenge**
A High Court injunction puts negotiations on hold over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.
The UK's plans to finalize the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands have been abruptly halted by a High Court judge's last-minute injunction. At 02:25 BST, Mr. Justice Goose granted "interim relief" to two members of the Chagossian community, Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, who have lodged a case against the Foreign Office. The UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, was scheduled to participate in a virtual signing ceremony with Mauritian representatives on Thursday morning that would have seen the UK transfer control of the Chagos Islands while retaining the right to use a crucial US military base located on this strategic archipelago.
The government has yet to disclose how much this deal will cost British taxpayers, but estimates suggest the financial implications could be in the billions. In light of the court's decision, a government spokesperson stated, "We do not comment on ongoing legal cases," maintaining that the agreement is necessary for the safety of the British populace. The Attorney General of Mauritius, Gavin Glover, refrained from commenting as the matter is set to be discussed in court again later today.
Critics of the deal have highlighted the lack of consultation with the Chagossian people, who are viewed as the rightful stakeholders in this historical dispute. Michael Polak, the lawyer representing the two complainants, stated that the UK government's intent to transfer the islands without engaging their native population is a continuation of historical injustices faced by the Chagossians.
In his early-morning ruling, Justice Goose ordered that the UK must refrain from any binding actions regarding the transfer of the British Indian Ocean Territory, effectively ensuring UK sovereignty remains intact until further notice. Discussions between Chagossian representatives and the Foreign Office are ongoing to better address their status and rights in light of this significant legal intervention.
Since their separation from Mauritius in 1965, when Mauritius was still under British colonial rule, the Chagos Islands have been a point of contention. After Britain negotiated the transfer of the islands for £3 million, the islands were used for a US military installation, leading to the displacement of thousands of Chagossians. Today, the diverse opinions within the Chagossian community - with some wanting to return to the islands and others advocating for better conditions in the UK - further complicate the negotiations.
Mylene Augustin, part of the Chagossian diaspora in the UK, expressed hope that the current deal wouldn't go ahead as it stands, stressing that their heritage and self-determination should be central to any agreement regarding the islands' future. In recent years, increasing pressure from international bodies has emerged, aligning with Mauritius' long-held claims to sovereignty over the islands. As public sentiment swells against the UK’s claim, political figures like former Conservative foreign secretary Priti Patel have criticized the proposed agreement, signaling that the debate over the fate of the Chagos Archipelago is far from over.
The government has yet to disclose how much this deal will cost British taxpayers, but estimates suggest the financial implications could be in the billions. In light of the court's decision, a government spokesperson stated, "We do not comment on ongoing legal cases," maintaining that the agreement is necessary for the safety of the British populace. The Attorney General of Mauritius, Gavin Glover, refrained from commenting as the matter is set to be discussed in court again later today.
Critics of the deal have highlighted the lack of consultation with the Chagossian people, who are viewed as the rightful stakeholders in this historical dispute. Michael Polak, the lawyer representing the two complainants, stated that the UK government's intent to transfer the islands without engaging their native population is a continuation of historical injustices faced by the Chagossians.
In his early-morning ruling, Justice Goose ordered that the UK must refrain from any binding actions regarding the transfer of the British Indian Ocean Territory, effectively ensuring UK sovereignty remains intact until further notice. Discussions between Chagossian representatives and the Foreign Office are ongoing to better address their status and rights in light of this significant legal intervention.
Since their separation from Mauritius in 1965, when Mauritius was still under British colonial rule, the Chagos Islands have been a point of contention. After Britain negotiated the transfer of the islands for £3 million, the islands were used for a US military installation, leading to the displacement of thousands of Chagossians. Today, the diverse opinions within the Chagossian community - with some wanting to return to the islands and others advocating for better conditions in the UK - further complicate the negotiations.
Mylene Augustin, part of the Chagossian diaspora in the UK, expressed hope that the current deal wouldn't go ahead as it stands, stressing that their heritage and self-determination should be central to any agreement regarding the islands' future. In recent years, increasing pressure from international bodies has emerged, aligning with Mauritius' long-held claims to sovereignty over the islands. As public sentiment swells against the UK’s claim, political figures like former Conservative foreign secretary Priti Patel have criticized the proposed agreement, signaling that the debate over the fate of the Chagos Archipelago is far from over.
