UN court rejects UK rule over Chagos Islands

The UN’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) has backed Mauritius in a colonial-era dispute over the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, saying Britain’s handling of the decolonisation was “unlawful”


1814: Britain takes possession of Chagos Islands after capturing French colony of Mauritius

1965: Mauritius sells Chagos Islands to Britain, three years before country gains independence. Islands become British Indian Ocean Territory

1966: Britain leases largest island, Diego Garcia, to U.S. for creation of military base

1968-73: Entire population of islands – around 2,000 people – moved to Mauritius and
Seychelles to make way for base, which is leased until 2036

1975: Chagos islanders living in Mauritius launch legal proceedings against their eviction, with some receiving compensation from Britain in 1982

2017: UN General Assembly adopts resolution presented by Mauritius and backed by African
countries asking ICJ to examine legal status of Chagos Islands

Feb 25, 2019: ICJ says UK carved up Mauritius illegally and should end rule over Chagos Islands as soon as possible – ruling is non-binding but puts pressure on UK to act


India
Indian Ocean
Seychelles
Chagos Islands
Mauritius
Madagascar

2,000km 1,250 miles


CHAGOS ISLANDS (British Indian Ocean Territory)
Pitt Bank
Egmont Islands
Diego Garcia
Great Chagos Bank
Peros Banhos Atoll
Speakers Bank
Salomon Islands
Cauvin Bank

50km 30 miles

Land Shallow reef (0-2m deep)
Submerged reef (2-20m deep)


B-52 bombers at Diego Garcia – base has played key strategic role in U.S. operations in Indian Ocean


Sources: AP, AFP, Reuters 
Picture: U.S. Department of Defence 
© GRAPHIC NEWS