The High Court of Justice has refused permission to initiate legal proceedings against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office over the agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius concerning the future of the Chagos Archipelago.
The decision, delivered on Tuesday in London, halts a legal challenge brought by three plaintiffs, including Bertrice Pompe. The applicants argued that the British government failed to consult members of the Chagossian community before concluding the agreement with Mauritius.
Legal Challenge and Court Ruling
In her written judgment, Mary Stacey acknowledged the historical injustices suffered by the Chagossian people during the 1960s and 1970s.
She described the treatment of the islanders during that period as part of a “long and shameful history,” referring to the forced displacement of residents from the islands.
However, the judge concluded that the arguments presented in the case largely repeated claims that had already been examined and dismissed by English courts in earlier litigation concerning the Chagos Islands.
As a result, the court declined to grant permission for the case to proceed, effectively blocking the legal challenge at this stage.
Historical Background of the Chagos Dispute
The Chagos dispute dates back to the period when Mauritius was still under British colonial rule. Britain retained control of the Chagos Islands after Mauritius gained independence in the late 1960s.
During that time, the entire Chagossian population was removed from the islands to make way for the construction of a strategic military base on Diego Garcia.
The base is currently used by the United States Armed Forces, making it one of the most strategically important installations in the Indian Ocean.
UK–Mauritius Agreement
In May, the United Kingdom agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius while maintaining a long-term lease over Diego Garcia to allow continued operation of the military facility.
Supporters of the agreement see it as a step toward resolving a decades-long territorial dispute, while critics including some Chagossian groups argue that the arrangement was negotiated without adequate consultation with the displaced islanders.
Ongoing Debate Over Chagossian Rights
The High Court’s ruling does not end broader debates surrounding the future of the Chagossian community, many of whom continue to seek recognition, compensation, and the right to return to their homeland.
The issue remains one of the most complex colonial-era disputes involving sovereignty, human rights, and strategic military interests in the Indian Ocean region.
