Another Take: The Chagos Islands, the UK and the US
Digest
This podcast episode details the geopolitical significance of the Chagos Islands, particularly Diego Garcia, and the forced displacement of the Chagosian people by the UK to establish a US military base. It recounts the Chagosians' idyllic life before their expulsion, the cruel tactics used to remove them, and their traumatic voyages. The narrative highlights the secret US-UK plans, the underlying racism and dehumanization, and the classification of these actions as crimes against humanity. Despite legal victories, including from the ICJ, the Chagosians continue to fight for reparations and the right to return home, emphasizing the need for direct consultation with them.
Outlines
Geopolitical Significance and Forced Displacement of Chagosians
The episode introduces the Chagos Islands and their strategic importance due to the Diego Garcia military base, highlighting geopolitical tensions and the UK-Mauritius sovereignty dispute. It details the UK's expulsion of the Chagosian people to create the base, labeling their displacement as crimes against humanity, and contrasts this with their former idyllic life, self-sufficiency, and distinct culture.
Cruel Tactics, Traumatic Voyages, and Secret Plans
The UK authorities, with US collusion, used cruel tactics, including stopping essential services and gassing dogs, to force Chagosians out. Their difficult sea voyages were likened to the slave trade. Secret US-UK plans during the Cold War led to Mauritius ceding Chagos before independence, creating the British Indian Ocean Territory.
Racism, Crimes Against Humanity, and the Fight for Justice
Released documents reveal explicit racism and dehumanization of Chagosians, justifying their removal. Clive Baldwin's report identifies forced displacement, preventing return, and racial persecution as crimes against humanity, with UK responsibility acknowledged. Despite court rulings and ICJ opinions favoring the Chagosians, the UK has shown little action, leading to ongoing calls for full reparations and the right to return, to be discussed directly with the Chagosian people.
Keywords
Chagos Islands
A remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean, strategically important for the U.S.-U.K. military base on Diego Garcia, with a sovereignty dispute between the UK and Mauritius.
Diego Garcia
The largest island in the Chagos archipelago, hosting a vital U.S. Navy and Air Force base in the Indian Ocean.
Forced Displacement
The act of compelling people to leave their homes, specifically the expulsion of the Chagosian population by the UK for a military base.
Crimes Against Humanity
Widespread or systematic attacks against civilians, including forced displacement and persecution, alleged by Human Rights Watch against the UK concerning the Chagosians.
Reparations
Compensation sought by the Chagosian people from the UK and US for their forced displacement and suffering.
Sovereignty Dispute
Disagreement between the UK and Mauritius over control of the Chagos Islands, impacting the Chagosian people's rights.
Colonialism
The policy of acquiring political control over another country, with the expulsion of the Chagosians presented as a crime of colonialism.
Chagosian People
The indigenous inhabitants of the Chagos Islands who were forcibly removed to make way for a military base.
Q&A
What is the significance of the Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia?
The Chagos Islands are a remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Diego Garcia, the largest island, hosts a crucial U.S.-U.K. military base, making the islands strategically important for global military operations.
Why were the Chagosian people removed from their homeland?
The Chagosian people were forcibly removed by the UK government to make way for the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia, a secret Cold War agreement prioritizing military interests over indigenous rights.
What crimes against humanity are alleged in relation to the Chagosians?
Alleged crimes include forced displacement, preventing return, and persecution based on race, as detailed in a Human Rights Watch report.
What is the current status of the Chagosian people's fight for justice?
Despite court rulings favoring the Chagosians, justice is slow. The UK has expressed regret, but concrete actions like reparations and the right to return are still being fought for, requiring direct consultation with the Chagosian people.
Show Notes
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on February 27, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
Why have the people of the Chagos Islands not been allowed to go home? The archipelago in the Indian Ocean was home to Chagossians until the 1960s. As decolonization swept the globe, the United Kingdom created one last African colony. Slowly, and then all at once, it forced people to leave their homes, then leased the land to the United States for a military base. Chagossians have been fighting – and sometimes winning – in court to return to their home islands. Now, Human Rights Watch says what the UK and the US did amounts to crimes against humanity.
In this episode:
- Clive Baldwin (@cliveabaldwin), Senior Legal Advisor, Human Rights Watch
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Negin Owliaei, Miranda Lin, and our host, Malika Bilal.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.
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