Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Britain Hands Over Colonial Islands

Great Britain is relinquishing one of its colonies after decades of lawsuits and political bickering. But a top-secret American military base will be allowed to stay.

» Updated: 07 October 2024, 05:35

» Published: 03 October 2024

Britain Hands Over Colonial Islands
Photo: Matt Dunham/AP/TT

An agreement has been reached to hand over the long-disputed Chagos Islands to Mauritius, announce the British and Mauritian governments.

The Chagos Islands consist mainly of seven atolls located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, far northeast of Mauritius. Technically, if they are to be seen as part of Mauritius, they can be counted as Britain's last African colony.

Retained the Atolls

The scattered island group belonged to Mauritius until the 1960s, when Mauritius was still a British colony. In connection with Mauritius gaining independence, Britain separated the Chagos Islands and retained control over them – and then forcibly relocated their indigenous population, the Chagossians, to Mauritius.

This was followed by the construction of one of the most secret military bases by allied USA and Britain on the largest of the islands, Diego Garcia. It has been reported, among other things, that the American intelligence agency CIA has had a secret prison for persons labeled as terrorists.

The base will be allowed to remain under the same conditions as before.

"Today's agreement ensures this important military base for the future," announces Britain's Foreign Minister David Lammy.

HRW: Human Rights Violations

The Chagossians have been fighting for decades to return to their home islands, where today there are no inhabitants except for the military base.

In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ruled that Britain should return the islands to Mauritius to "complete the decolonization of its territory". The same year, the UN General Assembly voted with a large majority in favor of this happening.

Last year, the human rights organization Human Rights Watch declared that the forced relocations in the 1960s constituted British and American crimes against humanity.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Drone attack on car near Beirut
1 MIN READ

Drone attack on car near Beirut

German opposition demands earlier no-confidence vote
2 MIN READ

German opposition demands earlier no-confidence vote

Iran: Trump's Victory Chance of Reconsideration
1 MIN READ

Iran: Trump's Victory Chance of Reconsideration

The demand to Georgia: Investigate election fraud
1 MIN READ

The demand to Georgia: Investigate election fraud

Democrats Fume: Biden's Arrogance Was Our Downfall
2 MIN READ

Democrats Fume: Biden's Arrogance Was Our Downfall

Two states are still counting their votes
1 MIN READ

Two states are still counting their votes

The Charges Against Trump – What Happens Now
3 MIN READ

The Charges Against Trump – What Happens Now

Struggle for Power in Congress
3 MIN READ

Struggle for Power in Congress

Xi wants a stable relationship with the USA in the "new era"
1 MIN READ

Xi wants a stable relationship with the USA in the "new era"

Russian drone attacks on Kyiv
1 MIN READ

Russian drone attacks on Kyiv

Australia: 16-year limit for Tiktok
2 MIN READ

Australia: 16-year limit for Tiktok

Melania Trump calls for unity
1 MIN READ

Melania Trump calls for unity

Zelensky: USA's leadership is crucial
1 MIN READ

Zelensky: USA's leadership is crucial

Biden praises Harris: "The best decision I made"
2 MIN READ

Biden praises Harris: "The best decision I made"

German Government Crisis – May Lead to New Elections
1 MIN READ

German Government Crisis – May Lead to New Elections

Joyful atmosphere at Trump's residence: "Life gets better"
3 MIN READ

Joyful atmosphere at Trump's residence: "Life gets better"

Charges against Trump may be dropped
1 MIN READ

Charges against Trump may be dropped

Harris: We Must Accept the Election Result
2 MIN READ

Harris: We Must Accept the Election Result

This is why Harris lost the election - in five points
3 MIN READ

This is why Harris lost the election - in five points

At Least 40 Dead in Lebanon After Israel's Attacks
2 MIN READ

At Least 40 Dead in Lebanon After Israel's Attacks