Deportation of Chagos Islanders blocked by judge

A judge has issued an order to temporarily block the deportation of four Chagossians who travelled to the Chagos Islands to protest against a deal to hand over the territory to Mauritius. The Chagossians arrived on a remote part of the archipelago on Monday after sailing from Sri Lanka, with the aim of establishing a permanent settlement on their “homeland”. British authorities served the four men with eviction papers, which warned them they could face fines or jail if they did not leave.

But lawyers representing the men have successfully applied for an injunction to prevent their removal for at least seven days. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) maintains that the four men should comply with the notices they were served. In his ruling, the judge upheld challenges about an unreasonable delay or failure to grant the men permits to visit the territory and the lawfulness of the removal orders.

“There is no doubt the balance of convenience falls on the side of the claimants,” James Lewis KC, chief justice of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), said. “They are 120 miles (193km) from Diego Garcia and pose no threat to national security on the evidence before me. If they are deported they will have great difficulties in returning.” The lawyers supporting the Chagossians said they were prepared to go to court if the removal orders were not dropped.