MAURITIUS: Chagos Islanders applaud British high court decision that could see them return home for the first time in 40 years

Chagos Islanders in Mauritius are celebrating a British ruling that could see them return to their Indian Ocean homes after almost 40 years in exile. Some 2,000 islanders were uprooted when Britain, the colonial power at the time gave permission to the U.S. to build a military base on the largest atoll, Diego Garcia. Most of the Chagossians were sent to Mauritius and Seychelles. On Wednesday (May 23) Britain's High Court said the right to go home was one of the most fundamental liberties known to human beings. "The British court has given us the right to go back to Chagos. As Chagossians, we are all very happy. I am aware of this judgement." said Rosemond Saminaden, speaking to Reuters at his home in Baie du Tombeau. But sadly the judgment may be too late for some like 70-year old Rosemond. "We hope the English government won't appeal, because too many people could die. Too may Chagossians could die. They are getting old," said his 38-year old daughter, Claudie Saminaden. Chagossians once lived in tight-knit communities on hundreds of individual islands, where fish and fruit were plentiful. Today they live in Mauritian suburbs, tormented by poverty and crime. Britain has argued that the Chagossians should not be allowed to return on security grounds. Britain's Foreign Office said it would consider carefully the court ruling before deciding whether to seek an appeal in the House of Lords.

ITN Source | May 25, 2007

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