PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, October 4, 2024 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The United Kingdom and Mauritius announced on October 3, 2024 that they had reached an agreement whereby the United Kingdom recognizes the Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, mainly known for their main island, Diego Garcia, which is home to the most strategic American military base outside the United States.
When granting independence to Mauritius, the United Kingdom made it a condition to retain the Chagos Islands until necessary. Mauritius has constantly claimed its sovereignty over the islands but has never been able to exercise real and effective control over them. The UN International Court of Justice ruled, in an advisory opinion in 2019, that the UK must return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius because, until this is done, decolonization of Mauritius cannot would not be completed. The United Kingdom initially rejected the decision, but faced growing criticism for its apparent disregard for the rule of law.
Sivakumaren (Robin) Mardemootoo, Managing Partner of Dentons in Mauritius, celebrates this historic milestone; he has advised the Chagossians since 1997 and has accompanied them in their journey before the British, American and international courts.
“The Chagossians were forcibly expelled from their islands between 1965 and 1971 and abandoned in Mauritius and the Seychelles. The circumstances of their displacement were inhumane and serious accusations of racism and degrading treatment were made against the British and American governments by several human rights organizations, leading to several historic judgments,” he said. commented.
Robin Mardemootoo praises the courage and determination of his clients led by Olivier Bancoult and his Chagos Refugee Group and affirms that without them, Mauritius would not be where it is today. “They litigated against the UK and US for almost 30 years in what was a David versus Goliath war, allowing confidential and secret documents to come to light during discovery proceedings, exposing the practices deceptive and manipulative actions of the British and American administrations to forcibly evict the islanders, thereby creating global awareness of the tragedy. This agreement finally satisfies the two demands that the islanders have always had: their resettlement on their islands and compensation for the damage suffered. Robin salutes the architect of British procedures, Richard Gifford, and the inspired advice of Michael Tigar in the United States.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) for Dentons
Media contact:
Neha Chadha-Balgobin, neha.balgobin@dentons.com
Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-10-04 17:53:19
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