Chagos Resource Hub
On Thursday 3rd October, the UK Government announced that they had agreed to hand over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) to the Republic of Mauritius; maintaining the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia for 99 years.
We are urging people to email their Member of Parliament and ask them to oppose the decision within the UK Parliament when it is brought to a debate and vote. We have prepared an email template below that can be used or adapted.
MP Email Template
Dear [MP],
I am writing as your constituent to ask that you strongly oppose the deal transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, to Mauritius when it is debated in Parliament.
The Government’s decision to sign a deal transferring the sovereignty of these islands without ensuring the self-determination of the Chagossian community is a betrayal of those displaced people and undermines the UK's national security.
These islands have been British since the end of the Napoleonic Wars before Mauritius existed as an independent country. Mauritius has never owned or controlled the islands, and the Mauritian sovereignty claim is nothing more than a re-writing of history and is strongly opposed by the majority of Chagossians in the UK and overseas.
The UK government has claimed that those opposing the deal means siding with the likes of China and Russia, it has become increasingly clear that the opposite is true. China has publicly congratulated Mauritius on the terms of the deal, we have learnt from Hong Kong, it is playing the long game of dismantling the West one island at a time.
The deal undermines the UK and Chagossians in a number of ways:-
The cost of the deal is likely to cost upwards of £30bn over the lifetime of the deal, right now it costs nothing to maintain sovereignty;
The UK will be required to inform a foreign power, Mauritius, ahead of any strikes or action originating from Diego Garcia. Given Mauritius is increasingly aligned with China, and Diego Garcia is crucial for UK/US defence and the strategic interests of the West, this is an disgraceful loss of autonomy;
Funds that have been set aside for the Chagossians will be managed by Mauritius, a country that has systematically discriminated against the Chagossian community. Chagossians are not Mauritian and many do not have any links to Mauritius. British Chagossians will receive no support.
The deal undermines self-determination and sets a precedent for other countries to play lawfare in international courts against the UK. The UK has effectively fallen victim to a campaign of disputed lawfare.
It is a short-term political win for long-term failure. Not only are the Chagossians let down in the long-run with no support, but the UK now risks losing Diego Garcia within 100 years, which now puts future security and defence at risk.
The UK Government must be held to account over giving away a huge piece of British territory at cost, this major constitutional change, and I urge you to play your part in this. The decision sets a dangerous precedent for other British Overseas Territories including the Falklands, Gibraltar and the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus.
I urge you to challenge and oppose this deal in Parliament. The UK must retain sovereignty over the islands, defend Diego Garcia, and consult the Chagossians.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
Petition
We ask that you sign our petition calling on the UK Government to reconsider the agreement. The petition is as follows:
We, the undersigned, urge the UK Government to reconsider its recent decision regarding the future of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). These islands have been British for over 200 years and remain of critical strategic importance to both regional and Western defence.
The proposed agreement, which would result in the UK paying potentially billions to rent its own territory, is an unacceptable waste of public funds and a dangerous compromise to national security interests. Instead of proceeding with this misguided arrangement, these funds could be better directed towards addressing historical injustices and improving the welfare of the Chagossian people—something Mauritius has neglected for decades.
It is important to highlight that Mauritius is not the reliable partner it claims to be. Many Chagossians have recently fled Mauritius, seeking refuge in the UK due to their distrust of the Mauritian government.
Furthermore, this decision lacks the support of key stakeholders. Neither the Chagossian community nor the wider UK public endorses this course of action. British Chagossians and the UK Parliament have been denied a voice and the opportunity to scrutinise this major constitutional change. Handing over British territory without such scrutiny is undemocratic and unjust.
We call on the UK Government to prioritise national security, fiscal responsibility, and the welfare of the Chagossian people over Mauritius’ unfounded territorial claim. The proposed handover of the BIOT is against British interests and must be halted immediately.
We demand that the government stand firm in the protection of British territory and British interests.
Chagos Islands:
Call to Action Event
12th November 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM
1D Glenarm Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 0LY
The UK's horrific deal with Mauritius to hand over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands must be challenged and defeated. Join Friends of the British Overseas Territories for our largest and most important event to date - the British Indian Ocean Territory Call to Action. This event is designed to unite voices from all across the UK who believe in defending Britain's sovereignty over the Chagos Islands; a strategic and historically British territory, and protecting our Overseas Territories.
The event will feature Chagossians from various groups who will share their experiences and perspective on the impact of this deal. The event will also feature VIP guest appearances from influential figures in the UK Parliament and other key public figures who are committed to protecting the Chagos Islands from this disastrous handover.
Our 'Call to Action' will be a pivotal moment in bringing together all those who support the UK's rightful sovereignty over this important territory. It is a chance to make your voice heard, to stand in solidarity with the Chagossian community, and to advocate for the continued British administration of the islands. Chagossian voices must be heard, and FOTBOT will ensure that they are
Enquiries
Strikes are expected on the London Underground on the 12th November. Our travel guide can be found here.
Travel Information
Please direct any enquiries to daniel.toft@fotbot.org
'Call to Action' Fundraiser
Given the current emergency situation with the Chagos Islands, we have so far been incredibly ambitious to campaign against the UK Government and lobby the UK parliament. So far we have received incredible support and we thank you all for your passion and concern.
Our next step is even more ambitious, and we need your help.
Chagossian communities are spread across the globe and have differing operational models. They all have one thing in common, they want self-determination.
That is why we want to host the biggest Call to Action yet and gather all the groups of the UK Chagossians and as many as we can fit into a venue which is appropriate.
Unlike other events we host, we want this to be completely free of charge to Chagossians and supporters as we hope to host around 500-800 people.
The venue we are currently looking at costs £2000 to hire for the evening and we would like your help to contribute to this cost.
Given our media coverage so far, we are expecting this to be a lively high-profile event, with journalists and broadcasters present. We will also have political VIPs speaking at this event.
Self-determination must prevail and sovereignty must be protected.
Please contribute as you see fit, we will close donations once we have hit the objective.
Chagos Islands: Call to Action Event Photos
On 12th November 2024, we held our Chagos Islands: Call to Action event, welcoming over 600 Chagossians and other supporters to the Round Chapel in Hackney to unite against the UK Government's deal with Mauritius.
You can download the full photo album here:
Friends of the British Overseas Territories, Registered Charity No 1156763
A Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered in England and Wales Email: enquiries@fotbot.org
You can write to us at: Friends of the British Overseas Territories, Po Box 2635, Ilford, IG1 8UA
Promoting, Supporting and Increasing Awareness of the UK Overseas Territories
