**How Brexit Contributed To Chagos Loss**

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Post on Nov 05, 2024

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How Brexit Contributed to Chagos Loss: A Complex History of Decolonization and Dispossession

The Chagos Archipelago, a remote island chain in the Indian Ocean, has been at the center of a long and contentious debate over sovereignty, self-determination, and the legacy of colonialism. Brexit, the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, played a significant role in exacerbating the already complex legal and political issues surrounding the Chagos Islands. This article will explore how Brexit contributed to the loss of the Chagos Archipelago, examining the historical context, legal challenges, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination by the Chagossian people.

A History of Displacement and Dispossession

The Chagos Islands were colonized by the British in the 18th century and became a key strategic location during the Cold War. In 1965, the British government detached the islands from Mauritius, which was granted independence in 1968. This separation was conducted for the sole purpose of establishing a US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago.

Between 1967 and 1973, the native Chagossian population was forcibly removed from their homes and deported to Mauritius and Seychelles. They were denied the right to return, and many Chagossians continue to fight for their ancestral homeland and the right to self-determination.

The Role of the European Union

The European Union played a crucial role in supporting the Chagossian people's struggle for justice. The EU's "acquis communautaire," the body of law that binds all member states, includes provisions prohibiting the acquisition of territory by force and upholding the right to self-determination. This legal framework challenged the British government's actions in detaching the Chagos Islands from Mauritius and the forced removal of its inhabitants.

Brexit's Impact on Chagos

Brexit significantly impacted the Chagossian people's struggle. The UK's withdrawal from the EU meant that it was no longer bound by the "acquis communautaire," effectively removing a critical legal pillar supporting the Chagossian case. This allowed the UK to further its own interests in the region without facing the same level of legal scrutiny.

Following Brexit, the UK government took several steps that further marginalized the Chagossians:

• Renewed the lease for the US military base on Diego Garcia. This action reinforced the British government's commitment to maintaining the military base at the expense of the Chagossian people's right to return.
• Continued to deny the Chagossian people their right to self-determination. The UK government continues to assert its claim over the Chagos Islands, despite the clear historical injustices and the ongoing struggle of the Chagossian people.
• Ignored international pressure. The UN Special Rapporteur on Decolonization has repeatedly called on the UK to allow the Chagossian people to return to their homeland, but the UK government has dismissed these calls.

The Ongoing Struggle for Justice

Despite Brexit, the Chagossian people continue to fight for justice and recognition. They have sought legal redress through international courts, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In 2019, the ICJ ruled that the UK's detachment of the Chagos Islands from Mauritius was unlawful and that the UK must return control of the islands to Mauritius.

The UK government has refused to comply with the ICJ's ruling, but the case remains a strong symbol of the continued fight for Chagossian self-determination. The ongoing struggle underscores the complex intersection of colonialism, decolonization, and the right to self-determination.

Conclusion

Brexit played a significant role in exacerbating the already complex situation surrounding the Chagos Islands. The UK's withdrawal from the EU weakened the legal and political framework that previously protected the Chagossian people's rights.

The future of the Chagos Islands remains uncertain. However, the determination of the Chagossian people and the international pressure they continue to garner provide hope for a future where they can finally return to their ancestral homeland and exercise their right to self-determination. The story of the Chagos Islands serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of colonialism and the ongoing fight for justice and recognition for indigenous populations around the world.