Return the Chagos Islands to the Chagos People

The Chagos Islanders were callously removed from their pacific islands in the 1970's, when a deal between the UK (who owns the islands) & US meant the islands were to become a luxury, US military base. The people were dumped into dire poverty where to this day, they remain.

The removal of the Chagos people from their homeland was an illegal act; international law was ignored as UK government ministers conspired to propagate the myth that the islands inhabitants were a "non-indigenous" workforce. As if to add insult to injury, the people were in the 80's offered a paltry £3,000 compensation. However when they signed for that sum, they unwittingly signed away their rights to return to their homeland.

The majority of the islanders couldn't even read - their signatures are merely thumbprints. Many who caught wind of the scam simply refused to accept the "compensation".

Time after time, court rulings upholding the Chagos islanders rights to return home, have been refused by UK courts; the Chagos people remain embittered and trapped in poverty. It's up to the caring & compassionate amongst us to stand up on their behalf and demand that the UK government grant the islanders their right to return home. For more information see the online video 'Stealing a Nation' presented by John Pilger.