15/07/2026
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗴𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Geneva, 15 July 2026
Chagossian Voices (CV) has taken its campaign for justice for Chagossians to the United Nations, using this week's session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva to challenge their continued exclusion from decisions about the future of the Chagos Archipelago.
The intervention comes at a pivotal moment following the implementation of the UK–Mauritius Chagos Agreement and amid continuing legal and political developments concerning the future governance of the islands. Chagossian Voices argues that, despite these developments, Chagossians themselves remain largely excluded from decisions affecting their homeland and future.
Representatives Richard Ally and Jemmy Simon addressed delegates during EMRIP and presented video testimony from Chagossian natives and descendants at a side event entitled Chagos at the Crossroads. The event highlighted the community's history of forced displacement, marginalisation and resilience, while making the case that the Chagossian people meet the characteristics of an Indigenous people under international standards.
During the conference, Chagossian Voices raised concerns about the UK–Mauritius Agreement, arguing that it:
• Excludes Chagossians from decisions about their future.
• Fails to guarantee the right of return, particularly to Diego Garcia.
• Does not provide adequate reparations.
• Gives Mauritius sole responsibility for resettlement and administration of the £40 million support fund.
• Provides substantial financial benefits to Mauritius while offering limited direct support to Chagossians.
• Does not adequately reflect the views of the global Chagossian diaspora.
With more than half of all Chagossians now living outside Mauritius, the organisation also rejected descriptions of the community simply as "Mauritians of Chagossian origin", arguing that Chagossians are a distinct people with their own history, culture and identity.
Throughout EMRIP, Chagossian Voices presented historical, cultural and lived evidence which it says demonstrates the Chagossian people's historical continuity and enduring connection with the Chagos Archipelago. The organisation argued that the Chagossian people have the right to define their own identity and to have that identity respected under international human rights standards.
The organisation called for recognition of the Chagossian people's rights to self-determination, return, reparations, development, and to preserve and strengthen their culture and way of life.
Chagossian Voices also participated in wider discussions on Indigenous rights affecting communities around the world, emphasising that it advocates solely for the interests of the Chagossian people rather than those of either the United Kingdom or Mauritius.
EMRIP provided an opportunity for Chagossian Voices to engage directly with Indigenous representatives, United Nations experts, academics and Member States, ensuring that Chagossian perspectives continue to be heard at the highest international level.
Richard Ally, speaking on behalf of Chagossian Voices, said:
"For too long, decisions about our homeland have been made without us. We came to the United Nations because the Chagossian people deserve recognition, respect and a genuine voice in determining our own future. Nothing concerning the Chagossian people should ever be decided without the Chagossian people."
