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The UK government is facing calls to grant the Chagos Islanders the right to self-determination following the announcement that the Chagos Islands would be given to Mauritius. Chagossians were forcibly removed from their homes on the main island of Diego Garcia to make way for a UK and US military base and have been banned from returning. This move has left them feeling betrayed and overlooked.

Bernadette Dugasse, a Chagos Islander born in Diego Garcia, expressed her frustration at not being able to return to her homeland despite the lease agreement being for 99 years. She feels like the world is focused on the military base on Diego Garcia while disregarding the Chagossian people’s welfare.

Campaigners, including Dugasse, were not consulted about the decision to hand over the islands to Mauritius, and they feel neglected by the UK government. Peter Lamb, the Labour MP for Crawley, Sussex, has criticized the decision, stating that the Chagos Islanders deserve their human right to self-determination.

Lamb emphasized the importance of a referendum for the Chagos Islanders to decide the future of their community. He highlighted the discrimination and erasure of culture faced by Chagossians in Mauritius, making it crucial for them to have a say in their future.

The Chagos Islanders living in the UK, particularly in Crawley, are one of the largest populations of the ethnic group in the world. Their plight is a pressing issue that requires attention and action from the UK government to ensure their rights and well-being are protected.

The call for self-determination for the Chagos Islanders is gaining momentum, with activists and supporters demanding that their voices be heard and respected in determining the future of the Chagos Islands. The UK government’s response to these demands will be closely watched as the Chagossian community seeks justice and recognition of their rights.