Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Alan Meale (Labour), on Thursday, 16 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 66 members in total.

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DIEGO GARCIA

That this House recalls that between 1967 and 1973 and at the behest of the UK Government under its colonial powers, more than 1,500 Diego Garcia islanders were removed from their homelands following a request from the US to lease the islands chain for military purposes; is aware one of the main reasons given at the time was that the islands were unfit for human habitation, precarious and unable to sustain human life; notes that currently 1,500 US and UK military personnel, together with over 2,000 civilian contractors reside on the islands, which were described in recent US Navy recruitment literature as being one of the world's best kept secrets, boasting unbelievable recreational facilities, exquisite natural beauty and outstanding living conditions; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to admit its past failures, as the territorial power, to protect the rights and wellbeing of indigenous Diego Gacians and immediately to take whatever steps necessary to ensure their right of return.

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Secondary information

Type

Early day motion

Reference

1680 

Session

2003-04

Subjects

British Indian Ocean Territory Military bases Diego Garcia Resettlement Chagossians

Link

View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk