Return of the Chagos: The Attorney General Responds to the House of Lords Defense Report on the Treaty Between the UK and Mauritius
Title: Return of the Chagos: The Attorney General Responds to the House of Lords Defense Report on the Treaty Between the UK and Mauritius
Content: The Attorney General, Gavin Glover, stated that, on behalf of the Mauritian government, he has acknowledged the report from the House of Lords International Relations and Defense Committee regarding the views of the Chagossians on the UK-Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Islands. Published yesterday, December 17, this report highlights the feelings of marginalization among Chagossians regarding the agreement between the UK and Mauritius over the Chagos archipelago. Based on an online survey that gathered over 3,000 responses, the document emphasizes that Chagossians "feel excluded from negotiations and demand a central role in decisions affecting them." This feeling of historical injustice dominates the findings, compounded by widespread distrust towards the Mauritian government.
In a statement published on Thursday, December 18, Gavin Glover affirms respect for this report, which is part of the internal parliamentary process of the UK, and acknowledges the seriousness with which the Committee has sought to address the concerns of Chagossians.
Below is the translation of the statement:
The government reaffirms that Chagossians are an integral part of the Mauritian people and that the Chagos archipelago is an integral part of Mauritius' territory. These facts were clearly confirmed by the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on February 25, 2019. The report itself acknowledges that international law does not grant Chagossians an independent right to self-determination. Therefore, completing Mauritius' decolonization and recognizing Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago are necessary steps to rectify the historical injustices suffered by this community.
The government also points to the methodological limitations of the survey, as recognized in the report, which states that it does not claim to represent the entirety of Chagossian opinions. The method used inevitably emphasizes the voices most opposed to the Agreement, while the vast majority of Chagossians living in Mauritius — where most individuals born in the archipelago and directly affected by displacement reside — have expressed support for Mauritius’ role, often without public visibility.
Since the conclusion of the Agreement, the government has been actively working to translate sovereignty into concrete measures. Progress has been made on several fronts, including the definition of eligibility criteria for resettlement.
The report, finalized on December 10, 2025, but published on December 18, does not take into account the provisions of the proposed bill on the Trust Fund for the benefit of Chagossians, approved by the Cabinet on December 12, 2025. This text adequately addresses several concerns raised in the report. Notably, it recognizes that this Fund is intended for Chagossians and will be managed by Chagossians themselves, a major demand from the community.
The report also fails to consider the official position of the government that no commercial fishing will be permitted throughout the marine protected area of the Chagos archipelago. Furthermore, several protocols and memorandums of understanding regarding the implementation of the Agreement have been discussed and are in the process of being finalized. It is worth noting that the Treaty imposes obligations that will engage Mauritius as a sovereign state, an aspect that is not always fully understood in public debate.
However, the expressed concerns are not dismissed. The government remains convinced that the assurances given and the progress already made will help alleviate fears over time. It stays committed to transparency, inclusion, and dialogue, so that justice is finally served to the Chagossians.