Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Monday, 11 March 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 13 March 2024. It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Monday, 18 March 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

British Indian Ocean Territory: Asylum

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many asylum seekers are registered as living on Diego Garcia.

Answer: As an uninhabited territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) does not have an asylum system as the 1951 Refugee Convention has not been extended to the territory. Where migrants have claimed that they are unable to return safely to their country of origin, their cases are considered by the Commissioner for BIOT in line with BIOT law and international legal obligations. We do not comment publicly on individual claims for protection.

Secondary information