In one fell swoop of a press release on Thursday afternoon, this Government has abandoned all pretence it has to a human rights legacy.
In what appears to be a rushed move to secure an environmental legacy ahead of the general election, David Miliband announced in a press release entitled ‘New protection for the marine life of the British Indian Ocean Territory’, the creation of a marine protected area (MPA) covering a quarter of a million miles around the Chagos Archipelago which constitutes the British Indian Ocean Territory. The Commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory has been instructed to carry out the orders of Mr Miliband. The FCO stated in its press release that the measure is a ‘further demonstration of how the UK takes its international environmental responsibilities seriously’. The unbelievable thing about this mealy mouthed press release is that it fails to even mention the exiled Chagos islanders who have been fighting this government for their right of return.
The Chagos islanders were forcibly evicted in the late 1960s/70s as a result of the decision of the then Labour government which had made a secret deal to lease Diego Garcia to the United States for use as an air base (since famously used as a preferred destination, not for tourism but for rendition). For the islanders a peaceful existence came to an abrupt end as they were forcibly evicted and duped into leaving their homes. This small and brave community has been fighting for its right to return to live in the Chagos islands ever since. After an initial victory against the government in the High Court (subsequently overturned by the government who misused the royal prerogative to do so), they wait for the European Court of Human Rights to rule on their case. As an aside, the Government has seen fit to exempt the BIOT from the applicability of the Human Rights Act, almost unique amongst British overseas territories!
The creation of an MPA which ignores the role that the Chagossians have to play when there were other options on the table which would have preserved the unique marine environment of the Chagos islands whilst allowing for the right to return, is deeply concerning to the islanders. This announcement makes their return almost impossible in practice since one of the principal means of sustenance available to them on return will be fishing. The premature timing of the announcement, with only three sitting days to go before Parliament is dissolved means that it will be impossible to have this issue debated properly and, as the Vice Chair of the Chagos All Party Parliamentary Group, Lord Avebury, has described shows a contempt for Parliament and a total disregard for the interests of the Chagossian people whom Parliament and the Government is morally obliged to offend.
I can’t think what the Chagos Islanders have done to deserve this treatment but they are deeply saddened and disappointed at yet another blow. Knowing the community as I do, I am sure that this proud people who have lived through so much will fight on.
Millions of miles away, tapping on a computer in the South East, why do I care you might ask? Why am I indignant? To me this is a David and Goliath struggle for human rights in which Britain’s human rights record has been hugely tarnished. It is a struggle against the injustice, lies and deception of this government and others. The Chagossians are torch bearers for all of us who believe in human rights, these British citizens deserve their right to live in the land of their birth like you or like I. It is a damning indictment of this government that one of its final acts in its dying days was to wave through a measure that unnecessarily commits grave harm to a group of its citizens – well done on your legacy Miliband, let’s hope that the next government can do rather better!
Marcus Booth is Vice Chair of the UK Chagos Support Association, and Chairman of Conservative City Future
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Haven’t you worked it out yet? If you’re not in a demographic likely to vote Labour, the Government doesn’t give a tinker’s cuss about your human rights!
And if you are an immigrant – even an illegal one – and likely to vote for Labour you will be granted citizenship no matter what your past history.
Why on earth are some people obessed with siding with these Chagossians instead of defending Britain and our allies long term interests
That location is vital for our future national security, It should not be undermined. Chagossians must not be granted a right to return to that territory.
It is pathetic we allow this country to be pushed around by a small bunch of trouble makers.