Our History
1783.
First Arrival
The first inhabitants arrived in Chagos as enslaved Africans.
1848.
Emancipation
After emancipation, indentured Indians also arrived. A new, unique society and inter-island culture developed called Ilois.
1965.
Creation of British Indian Ocean Territory
Unknown to Chagossians, as part of a deal to grant Mauritian independence, the Chagos Islands were split off from the former colony and the British Government created The British Indian Ocean Territory.
1966.
U.S. & U.K secret deal
Concealed from Chagossians, the U.K. secretly agrees to remove our community for $ 14 million, hidden from Congress & Parliament & grant U.S a 50 year lease for the islands.
1969.
Eviction begins
Over a campaign lasting 3 years, Chagossians were forcibly expelled by the British Government, first to Peros Banhos, and then to Mauritius & Seychelles.
1973
Last Chagossian are deported
The last Chagossians were deported and the U.S Navy establish a military base on the islands.
1982.
Hunger Strikes
Out of desperation & living in abject poverty, Chagossians hold hunger strikes & protests. U.K. agrees to £4 million compensation. This begins a community movement.
1983
Chagos Refugees Group is established
Charlesia Alexis, Lisette Talate, Rita Élysée Bancoult & her son Olivier Bancoult establish the Chagos Refugee Group (CRG).
2000.
Rights to U.K. passports
After Chagossians sue for right of return, U.K. High Court rules expulsion was illegal.
2004.
Recognized as Indigenous Community
U.K. Government issues Queen’s ‘Orders in Council’ decreeing Chagossians barred from returning, effectively overturning 2000 victory.
2008.
Rights to UK Passports
After two more High Court rulings find the exile unlawful, U.K.’s highest court overturns
Chagossians’ lower court, upholding the exile and colonial law.
2010.
United Nations Ruling
U.K. creates Chagos Marine Protected Area (MPA) with exemption for Diego Garcia base. Wikileaks cable shows U.K., U.S. officials agreed MPA was best way to prevent Chagossians return.
2015.
Feasibility Study
U.K. releases study confirming the feasibility of Chagossians resettling Chagos. UN Permanent Court of Arbitration rules U.K. acted illegally in creating an MPA.
2016.
Mauritius & ICJ
British Supreme Court urges U.K. Government to decide if Chagossians can return. Yet again the Government refuse to let us return.
2019
United Nations Ruling
The United Nations’ highest court ruled that Britain illegally took sovereignty from Mauritius when ending colonial rule and must “bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible”.
2019.
U.N. deadline to return Chagos to Mauritius
A six-month UN deadline to return control of the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius passed and the UK still refused to recognize Mauritius’s claim of sovereignty over the islands.
