A group of United Nations experts has expressed serious concerns about a recent agreement signed between the United Kingdom and Mauritius, arguing that it fails to protect the rights of displaced Chagossian people.
The agreement, signed on 22 May 2025, formalises the transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including the strategic island of Diego Garcia, from the UK to Mauritius. While the agreement has been described as a significant step in completing the end of colonial rule in Mauritius, UN experts say the agreement lacks essential guarantees for the right of return, compensation and cultural protection for the Chagossians.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the experts criticised the continued presence of UK and US military forces on Diego Garcia and the lack of provision for the repatriation of Chagossians. “By maintaining foreign military control and preventing return, the agreement contradicts the right of return owed to the Chagossians,” they said.
The experts also expressed doubts about the adequacy of the proposed £40 million (about $54 million) Trust Fund, questioning whether it meets international standards to provide effective solutions and reparations. They noted that the agreement omitted important elements such as compensation, guarantees of non-repetition and recognition of past harm.
The statement also highlighted the lack of any commitment to protect cultural heritage or grant the Chagossians access to traditional areas. The experts called on both the UK and Mauritius to suspend ratification of the agreement and return to the negotiating table to produce a deal that fully addresses the needs and rights of the displaced community.
“We are seriously concerned by the lack of meaningful participation of the Chagossians in the process that led to this agreement,” the experts added, stressing the importance of involving the affected population in future decisions.
Under current conditions, despite the change of sovereignty, the Diego Garcia military base will remain under joint US-UK control for the next 99 years.
Historically, the Chagos Islands were captured by Britain in the 19th century following the defeat of French forces and were declared part of the British colony of Mauritius under the Treaty of Paris in 1814. In 1965, the UK unilaterally separated the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in a move widely criticised as a violation of international law.