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Human rights

UN Experts Criticize UK's Deal with Mauritius, Call for Suspension

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A panel of UN experts has raised significant concerns about the UK's deal with Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands, specifically the treatment of the Chagossian people. The deal, agreed last month, involves the UK leasing back a military base on Diego Garcia in exchange for the sovereignty of the islands. However, the UN experts have criticized the retention of the base and the ban on Chagossians returning to Diego Garcia, stating that this contradicts the islanders' right to return. The experts also expressed concern about the lack of consultation with the Chagossians prior to the deal and the proposed £40 million trust fund, which they believe would not provide an effective remedy for the islanders.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN panel of experts has criticized the UK's deal with Mauritius, citing concerns about the treatment of the Chagossian people and the ban on their return to Diego Garcia.
  • The experts have called for the ratification of the agreement to be suspended and for a new agreement to be negotiated that guarantees the rights of the Chagossian people to return to all islands of the Chagos Archipelago.
  • The UK has agreed to lease back a military base on Diego Garcia in exchange for the sovereignty of the islands, despite the UN experts' concerns about the retention of the base.
  • The proposed £40 million trust fund for the benefit of the Chagossians has been criticized by the UN experts, who believe it would not provide an effective remedy for the islanders.
  • Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel has urged the Government to "do the right thing" and suspend the deal, stating that it is "bad for British taxpayers and bad for the Chagossian people".
  • The UK has agreed to pay at least £120 million a year for 99 years in order to lease back the Diego Garcia base, a total cost of at least £13 billion in cash terms.

Statistics:

  • £40 million: The proposed trust fund for the benefit of the Chagossians.
  • £120 million: The annual rent the UK has agreed to pay for 99 years to lease back the Diego Garcia base.
  • £13 billion: The total cost of the lease in cash terms.
  • 1965-1973: The period during which the Chagossians were expelled from the islands to make way for the joint UK-US base.
  • 2019: The year in which the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that the islands should be handed over to Mauritius.
  • 1: The number of panel of UN experts who have criticized the deal.

Sources:

  • UN Human Rights Council
  • International Court of Justice
  • Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
  • PA Wire

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