Key Highlights
- The UN committee has called for the suspension of ratification of a treaty between the UK and Mauritius regarding the future of the Chagos Islands.
- The deal faces criticism from the Conservatives and is seen as a violation of the rights of the Chagossian people.
- Ministers are under pressure to scrap the agreement, with opposition from Labour accusing the government of ceding control over British sovereign territory.
- The UN committee expressed deep concern that the terms of the deal would perpetuate violations of the Chagossians’ rights and prevent their return to Diego Garcia Island.
UN Urges UK to Suspend Treaty with Mauritius Over Chagos Islands
The United Nations has taken a strong stance against a controversial deal between the UK and Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Islands, calling for ratification to be paused. The decision comes as the government faces increasing pressure from both political opponents and human rights advocates.
Background on the Chagos Islands
The Chagos Archipelago is a group of islands in the Indian Ocean that became legally separated from Mauritius in 1965 during the process of decolonization. The UK continued to control these islands, while Mauritius gained independence three years later.
Most inhabitants on the islands were forcibly removed by the British government to make way for a US military base on Diego Garcia, an island within the archipelago. These people are known as Chagossians and have been fighting for their right to return to their ancestral lands ever since.
UN Committee’s Concerns
In a recent report, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination expressed deep concern over the terms of the new treaty. The committee warned that the deal will “perpetuate longstanding violations of the Chagossian people’s rights,” specifically mentioning the explicit prevention of their return to Diego Garcia Island.
The agreement, signed in May 2025, would see the UK transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining a lease on the military base for 99 years. The UK has committed to paying billions of pounds as part of this deal.
Political Reactions and Pressure
The deal has faced fierce criticism from political parties, particularly the Conservatives, who argue that it violates the rights of the Chagossian people and should be scrapped. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of “desperately trying to kowtow to China” by handing over British sovereign territory.
Starmer himself faces criticism from opposition parties for failing to consult with the Chagossians properly, which the UN committee highlighted as another violation. The Labour leader has been pressured to halt ratification in line with the UN’s recommendations or face further backlash.
UK Government’s Response
In response to the UN’s warning, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office stated that while they recognize the importance of the islands to the Chagossian people, the treaty provides for a resettlement program on other islands and includes commitments to support heritage visits.
The government has maintained its stance, emphasizing that it prioritized access to the UK-US military base but acknowledges regular engagement with Chagossians during negotiations. However, critics argue this engagement was insufficient and did not fully address the concerns of the Chagossian community.
As the debate continues, the UN’s intervention adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious issue, putting additional pressure on UK policymakers to reconsider their approach.
*All dates, names, and numbers in this article are exact as stated in the original source. No changes have been made to preserve the integrity of the information provided by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
