Today in every corner of the world people are celebrating the Human Rights Day.
We, Chagossians, are still victims of the violation of human rights by the UK with the complicity of the US government. Both form part of the United Nations who have decided to recognize that all people have the right to live freely on their place of birth.
On the 22nd of May 2019 a Resolution voted by the General Assembly of United Nations asking the UK to put an end to the illegal occupation of the Chagos Archipelago and to allow the Chagossians to return home where they belong. A moratorium period of six months was given to them to vacate but they continue to occupy illegally the Islands. Today more that one year has elapsed their violation is still continuing.
In the case of the Written Statement of the 16th November we see the same attitude prevailing, here more than four years have elapsed without any positive decision and action being undertaken in favor of the Chagossian people.
What we have been able to achieve up to now is due to our own struggle which is being recognized all over the world.
We remain and we represent Hope for all those who are still been prohibited to enter their birthplace. Our struggle has also shown that our concern is above all about our dignity and fundamental rights. Our struggle still goes on.
How could we today forget the promises the UK government made concerning the following?
– To improve the conditions of living of the and the welfare of the Chagossian people
– To finance Education and Training programs
– To provide Healthcare assistance
– To come up with a Pension package
Many proposals in line with the above have been submitted since many years ago together with other Chagossian groups.
Sadly the UK government has remained insensitive to our requests and has not demonstrated any goodwill and intention to fulfill their responsibilities to improve the conditions of living of the Chagossian people they have uprooted from their birthplace.
On the contrary they have continued to banish our fundamental rights as human beings. Today they need to respect and they cannot continue to bypass our fundamental rights and dignity. The right to our land is a legitimate human right, no one can deny it and can make any decision on our behalf.
I urge that any favorable decision and action should first consider and give priority to native Chagossians, then to second generation and to other descendants.
Our struggle remains our Pride though day after day our people are dying without being able to accomplish their heart wishes. Our people need to breathe as all human beings who are free in this world and need to be treated equally.
LIVE AND LET US ALSO LIVE !
Kind regards
Olivier Bancoult OSK
President CRG