Adopted Amendments: Discussions on the Diego Garcia Bill Continue in the House of Lords

The in-depth examination of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill is ongoing in the House of Lords in London this Thursday. Four amendments were adopted during discussions that began last Tuesday. According to British parliamentary procedure, the amended bill must now return to the House of Commons for re-examination. This will open up new debates on the amendments adopted by the House of Lords and slow down the legislative process ahead of the treaty's ratification.

During these debates, several amendments were proposed and adopted regarding key issues: payment arrangements to Mauritius if military use of the base becomes impossible, the possibility of a referendum for the Chagossian community, the publication of amounts paid to Mauritius, and parliamentary oversight of treaty-related expenses. However, the amendment explicitly proposing a referendum on the transfer of sovereignty was not retained.

Furthermore, discussions in the House of Lords continue to address the issue of self-determination for the Chagossians. Some peers advocate for the original inhabitants of the archipelago to have a say before the final adoption of the law.

This legislative process is being closely monitored in Port Louis as well as in London. The text still requires final approval, and in the event of new amendments, it will be sent back to the House of Commons, which could delay final ratification and the treaty's entry into force.