This is one of the key findings in a report from the cross-party
House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee
published today. The report, Chagossian views on
the UK-Mauritius Chagos Agreementis the result
of an online survey conducted by the Committee to seek the views
of Chagossians in the UK, Mauritius, the Seychelles and elsewhere
on the UK-Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago,
including Diego Garcia.
The Committee conducted the survey and produced its report after
being invited by the UK Government and the Official Opposition to
gather views from Chagossians in connection with the passage
through Parliament of the Bill implementing the Agreement. In
order to give Chagossians an opportunity to express their
opinions on key parts of the Agreement, and in light of their
earlier inquiry into the matter, the Committee accepted this
invitation.
Over 3,000 survey responses were received and classed as
evidence. For the purposes of the report, Chagossians were
defined as those born on the Chagos Islands and their
descendants. Key findings include:
- Chagossians feel a deep sense of injustice over their forced
displacement from the islands and the hardships that followed,
overwhelmingly emphasising that compensation and support should
be provided to Chagossians directly, with Chagossian oversight
and representation in decision-making.
- Distrust of the Mauritian government is widespread, rooted in
historical marginalisation and discrimination. Concerns were
expressed that the Agreement lacks sufficient safeguards, clarity
or transparency to give Chagossians confidence that their needs
would be met.
- Chagossians articulated heartfelt aspirations to return to
their homeland. At the same time, they also recognised the very
practical obstacles to resettlement, and shared concerns that the
Mauritian government would not deliver a fair resettlement
programme.
- The £40 million trust fund established under the Agreement is
seen not merely as a financial instrument, but as a vehicle which
should provide redress and improvement to the lives of
Chagossians. Many advocated for direct financial support, as well
as Chagossian oversight and involvement in setting the priorities
for the fund.
- Chagossian participation in environmental governance was also
seen as central to future conservation efforts across the
Archipelago.
The report emphasises that the UK Government should
engage and respond to the range of concerns revealed by the
survey responses.
, who chairs the
International Relations and Defence Committee said:
“Chagossians have been consistently sidelined during
negotiations on the UK's Agreement with Mauritius regarding the
Chagos Archipelago. Successive UK Governments have failed to
engage meaningfully with the community throughout this
process.
“Chagossians have a clear moral right to be heard and to
participate in decisions affecting themselves and their homeland.
We are grateful to all Chagossians who responded to our survey.
While this provided an opportunity for them to voice their views,
our survey cannot be a substitute for a full Government
consultation. It is now for the Government to take responsibility
and respond to the concerns Chagossians raised with us through
the survey.
“Despite working under significant time and resource
constraints, we believe that our findings paint a broadly
accurate picture of Chagossian views. The key themes that emerged
closely align with those identified by the Committee as part of
its previous inquiry into the implications of transferring
sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago.”
Notes to Editors
- The Diego Garcia Military Base and
British Indian Ocean Territory Bill is scheduled to begin
Report stage on 5 January 2026.
- Read further about the UK-Mauritius treaty on the
Chagos Archipelago, and the Committee's letter to the
then Foreign Secretary after an inquiry considering the
implications of the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos
Archipelago.
