The Chagos Islanders were expelled to build a military base, then denied their home.

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For decades, the Chagossians have fought to return to their ancestral islands in the Indian Ocean. Forced out by the British government in the 1960s and 1970s to clear the way for a joint US-UK military base, this displaced community has navigated legal battles, diplomatic leaks, and international court rulings.

The Chagossians are an Afro-Asian people descended from enslaved Africans and laborers from South Asia and Malaysia brought to the Chagos Archipelago in the late 18th century. By the 19th century, they had established a distinct culture and language, Chagossian Creole, while working on coconut plantations. Their lives were upended in 1965 when the UK separated the archipelago from Mauritius to create the British Indian Ocean Territory. Between 1967 and 1973, the entire population of over 1,000 people was expelled to make room for a military facility on Diego Garcia.

The expulsion was marked by harsh tactics, including the culling of pets and the deliberate depletion of food supplies. Officials at the time infamously referred to the islanders as 'Tarzans' or 'Man Fridays' to minimize their status. In 2010, the UK established a marine protected area around the islands. Leaked diplomatic cables later revealed that officials viewed the reserve as a strategic tool to prevent resettlement, effectively ensuring there would be 'no human footprints' on the territory. Despite this, the Chagossians have persisted, winning a 2006 High Court victory that was later overturned by the House of Lords in 2008.

Following an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice in 2019, the UK agreed in October 2024 to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius. While this agreement allows for a resettlement program on islands other than Diego Garcia, it remains contentious. In June 2025, UN experts called for the suspension of the treaty, arguing it fails to protect the rights of the displaced population. As of 2025, legal challenges continue, with claimants demanding that the British government consult the community before finalizing the transfer of their homeland.

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