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Written question asked by Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 October 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 October 2019. It was answered by Seema Kennedy (Conservative) on Tuesday, 5 November 2019 on behalf of the Home Office.


British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether British Overseas Territories citizenship will be granted to individuals descended from Chagossians born in the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Answer

People born in the British Indian Ocean Territory acquired British overseas territories citizenship by birth. Their children (the second generation, who were born elsewhere) will therefore have become citizens by descent.

Under British Nationality law citizenship is normally only passed on to one generation born abroad. This means that grandchildren of resettled Chagossians (the third generation) do not have an automatic claim to British overseas territories citizenship.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
3692
Session
2019-19
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
British Indian Ocean Territory Sovereignty Chagossians
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk