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Written question asked by Baroness Whitaker (Labour) on Monday, 9 November 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 November 2020. It was answered by Baroness Sugg (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 November 2020 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

British Indian Ocean Territory: Crimes against Humanity

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of allegations that (1) the removal between 1968 and 1973, and (2) the subsequent treatment, of the inhabitants of the Chagos Islands is a crime against humanity as defined in Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; and how they intend to respond to those allegations.

Answer

The UK does not accept this characterisation of the removal of Chagossians from the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), or subsequent treatment of former inhabitants. Nor is this a description used by either the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its Advisory Opinion, or the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Tribunal members in the Award in respect of the circumstances of the removal of Chagossians.

The UK Government has expressed sincere regret about the manner in which Chagossians were removed from BIOT in the 1960s and 1970s. While it has decided not to support resettlement, the UK Government is determined to address the aspirations of Chagossians which make them seek to resettle, which are the desire for better lives, and the desire to maintain a connection to the Territory.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL10143
Session
2019-21
Related items
British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty
Monday, 30 November 2020
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
British Indian Ocean Territory Crimes against humanity
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk