Families due to arrive at Manchester Airport this morning (Tuesday 22 September) after leaving Mauritius, with some Chagossians saying they are too frightened to speak publicly for fear of reprisals.
Thirty-one Chagossian families are due to arrive in the United Kingdom today after leaving Mauritius in an attempt to build new lives in Britain, as serious concerns emerge about the treatment and security of members of the community.
The families are expected to land at Manchester Airport at approximately 7.50am on Tuesday, 22 September, after travelling from Mauritius via Dubai.
Their arrival raises urgent questions about the proposed transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius.
Members of the Chagossian community have told Great British PAC that some of those leaving are frightened to speak publicly about their experiences because they fear repercussions for themselves and relatives who remain in Mauritius.
One Chagossian, whose identity Great British PAC is protecting, says they have received death threats in Mauritius after speaking out.
Another member of the community has told Great British PAC that she believes a relative died as a consequence of being outspoken on the Chagos issue. Great British PAC has not independently established the circumstances of the death and is therefore withholding further identifying details.
Some members of the arriving families have relatives remaining in Mauritius while they attempt to establish new lives in the United Kingdom.
It is not yet clear what accommodation will be available to all 31 families after their arrival.
The group has been assisted by Misley Mandarin, Interim First Minister of the Chagossian Government in Exile, and Guy Pascal, who has been acting as a point of contact with the families.
Mr Mandarin said he had been liaising with Christianah Awodiji, Refugee, Asylum and Evacuee Manager in Housing Operations at Manchester City Council, over arrangements surrounding the group.
Efforts are also being made to bring members of the group to Scotland, where there is already an established British Chagossian community around Elgin.
Mr Mandarin said:
“Thirty-one Chagossian families are leaving Mauritius and coming to the United Kingdom. Some are frightened. Some have family members they have had to leave behind. Some do not even feel able to speak publicly about what they have experienced.
“For generations our people have lived with the consequences of being removed from our homeland. Now Chagossians are leaving Mauritius and seeking a future in Britain, while the British Government is proposing to transfer sovereignty over our ancestral islands to Mauritius.
“Our people have been spoken about for decades, but too often we have not been listened to. We want the right to determine our own future. We want the right to return to our islands, rebuild our community and live on our ancestral homeland.
“The Chagos Islands are our home. Decisions about their future should not be made over the heads of the Chagossian people.”
Guy Pascal, who has been working directly with the families and liaising with Mr Mandarin over their relocation, said:
“British Chagossians from Mauritius came to see me to seek assistance with relocating to the UK. I have spoken with the First Minister, Misley Mandarin, regarding their situation and the support they require.
“I have also been liaising closely with the British Chagossian families, many of whom are currently in a very precarious situation and need appropriate support and assistance with their relocation to the UK.
“My priority is to ensure that these families are listened to, supported and provided with the appropriate guidance throughout the relocation process.”
Among those travelling to Manchester are Cédrick and Annaëlle Dinally.
Cédrick is a high-level kickboxer who has represented Mauritius. The couple say that despite working hard and representing the country through sport, they experienced a lack of opportunities, recognition and support.
Annaëlle said:
“My husband is Chagossian, so the situation surrounding the Chagossian community has always been very close to our family.
“We have worked very hard in our sporting careers and represented Mauritius as high-level athletes in kickboxing, but we have experienced many disappointments and difficulties along the way, including a lack of recognition and support.
“After everything we have experienced, we feel that moving to the UK gives our family an opportunity to start a new chapter and hopefully build a more stable future.”
Barrister Karessha Turner, who has worked extensively on Chagossian issues in both Mauritius and the United Kingdom, has also raised concerns about the documentation and nationality difficulties facing members of the community.
She said:
“From my experience dealing directly with Chagossians in both Mauritius and the UK, the consistent problem has been the lack of meaningful assistance from the relevant authorities.
“Many Chagossian families have difficulty accessing the documents ordinarily expected of them because of the circumstances in which they and their families were removed from the Chagos Islands from the 1960s onwards. They should not now be disadvantaged because they cannot produce documents which, through no fault of their own, may never have been available to them.
“I very much hope that these Chagossians are provided with appropriate accommodation and support on arrival and, importantly, are treated in accordance with the rights and status they hold as British nationals.”
Great British PAC has been working with Mr Mandarin and other Chagossian representatives in their campaign to prevent the transfer of sovereignty, including assisting with legal action, supporting the establishment of the Chagossian Government in Exile and working with MPs and Peers.
Claire Bullivant, CEO of Great British PAC, said:
“There could hardly be a more devastating illustration of what is wrong with the proposed Chagos deal.
“This morning, 31 Chagossian families are expected to arrive in the United Kingdom after leaving Mauritius. Some are so frightened of repercussions that they do not want their names made public. One Chagossian has told us they have received death threats for speaking out. Another believes an outspoken relative paid the ultimate price.
“Yet this is the country to which the British Government proposes transferring sovereignty over the Chagossians’ ancestral homeland.
“The Government argues that its deal with Mauritius is necessary to secure Diego Garcia. We profoundly disagree. Britain currently has sovereignty. Under the proposed agreement, Mauritius would become sovereign and the United Kingdom would instead exercise rights over Diego Garcia under a long-term arrangement.
“Recent events have also demonstrated why sovereignty matters. During the conflict with Iran earlier this year, the United States required British permission for the operational use of Diego Garcia under the existing UK-US arrangements. The Prime Minister initially refused US requests to use British bases for offensive action before subsequently permitting specified defensive operations. That episode demonstrated the strategic power that comes with sovereign control.
“There are also serious unanswered questions surrounding the existing 1966 UK-US agreement, which expressly provided that the territory would remain under United Kingdom sovereignty. The Government itself has acknowledged that the UK-US arrangements need to be updated if its Mauritius agreement is to proceed.
“But above all this is about people. Chagossians were removed from their homeland by Britain generations ago. Many want to return, not to see their homeland transferred to another state without their consent.
“Great British PAC will continue standing alongside Misley Mandarin and the Chagossian community, through the courts, through Parliament and through every lawful avenue available to us.
“This week these families will arrive in Britain looking for a future. Their arrival should force every MP and Peer to confront a simple question: if Chagossians themselves are leaving Mauritius in fear and searching for a new life in the United Kingdom, why should Britain hand their ancestral homeland to Mauritius?”
The Chagossians were removed from the Chagos Archipelago during the 1960s and 1970s following the establishment of the British Indian Ocean Territory and the development of the UK-US military facility on Diego Garcia.
The UK Government has itself acknowledged the historic treatment of the Chagossian people and created a special route to British citizenship for descendants of people born on the islands.
Under the UK-Mauritius agreement signed in May 2025, Mauritius would become sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, while the United Kingdom would exercise extensive rights over Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period.
The Government argues that the arrangement is necessary to provide long-term legal and operational security for the strategically vital UK-US base. Opponents dispute that case and argue that retaining British sovereignty provides stronger protection.
The agreement has not entered into force.
Images: Published with permission from Chagossian Government in Exile.
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