We have continually sought the views of the Mauritian Government in regards to the Chagossian resettlement review. The British High Commissioner to Mauritius met representatives of the Mauritian Government on 16 November to explain our decision against resettlement and the support package of approximately £40 million for Chagossians, including those living in Mauritius. The Government will continue to make efforts to work closely with Mauritius to develop cost-effective programmes which will make the biggest improvement in the life chances of those Chagossians who need it most.

The Government is disappointed at recent action by Mauritius in seeking a UN General Assembly resolution requesting “an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965”. We believe this is an inappropriate use of the International Court of Justice advisory opinion mechanism and sets an unwelcome precedent for other bilateral disputes. Whilst we are disappointed that this item has been added to the UNGA agenda, we are pleased that discussions at UNGA will be deferred until at least June 2017 in order to allow for bilateral discussions with Mauritius. We are hopeful that we can reach an agreed way forward through such bilateral discussions.

The United Kingdom is committed to cede the territory to Mauritius when it is no longer required for defence purposes.
The military facility located in the British Indian Ocean Territory continues to contribute significantly towards global security, and is central to efforts at countering regional threats, including those from terrorism and piracy. We do not envisage this position changing in the short-term and it is for the UK alone to determine when this position has been reached.

The United Kingdom value the historic relationship of trust and cooperation that we share with the Republic of Mauritius. It is therefore with great concern that we note the intention the Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed to the Parliament of Mauritius on 17 May to seek a referral by the UN General Assembly to the International Court of Justice this autumn, in order to obtain an advisory opinion in relation to the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago).

Referral of this matter to the International Court of Justice would cause lasting damage to Mauritius’ bilateral relations and we have respectfully sought the Prime Minister of Mauritius’ assurance that he does not intend to proceed with such action, and that he will return to a constructive path. Mauritius stands to benefit from friendly relations, including in relation to the British Indian Ocean Territory, where the UK and Mauritius are already engaged in talks that aim to implement the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea arbitral award of March 2015 and give due regard to Mauritius’ interests in matters of marine conservation in the British Indian Ocean Territory.