Hundreds unite against Chagos Islands handover at FOTBOT event

FOTBOT held its highly anticipated Chagos Islands: Call to Action event at the Round Chapel in Hackney on Tuesday 12th November 2024.

The event brought together over 600 Chagossians from various groups and organisations, including from the BIOT Citizens platform, Chagossian Voices, Chagos Islands Welfare Group, and Chagossian Refugees, as well as supporters of the campaign and guests from the UK Parliament. Uniting those in opposition to the UK’s shameful deal with Mauritius to hand over the British Indian Ocean Territory, attendees heard from a wide range of speakers from a number of perspectives, including Chagossians and politicians.

Hundreds from Crawley, home to the UK’s largest Chagossian population, and Manchester travelled to the rally to unite with the community and send a clear message to the UK Government; a message demanding the right to self-determination.

Among the Chagossian voices was Misley Mandarin, founder of the BIOT Citizens platform, who spoke passionately about his deep connection to his British identity, underscoring the pain of feeling disregarded in decisions about his homeland. Another compelling voice was Jean Francois Nellan of Chagossian Voices, who drew comparisons with other British Overseas Territories, such as the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar, where residents were allowed to choose whether they wished to remain British. Nellan stressed the community’s need for the same respect, calling for a referendum that would enable Chagossians to choose whether they wished to remain under British sovereignty or become part of Mauritius. Maxwell Evenor, also of Chagossian Voices, also spoke of the need for the Chagossian community to be granted the right to self-determination.

Additionally, political guest speakers included Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf, Lord Henry Bellingham, Wendy Morton MP and Lord Daniel Hannan.

Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf spoke out strongly against the deal, criticizing the government’s lack of consultation with the Chagossian people, saying, "Everything about this deal is appalling. They didn’t ask for a mandate, nor did they seek permission from the community directly affected by this decision.

Lord Daniel Hannan voiced his support for a referendum, advocating for a referendum among Chagossians dispersed across the UK, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, highlighting the need to give Chagossians an official, internationally recognised opportunity to express their preference and have it respected.

As the campaign continues to urge the UK Government to scrap the deal with Mauritius, we urge all our supporters to stay up to date on social media, as well as utilise our Chagos Resource Hub.