Chagossians: The British Exiles

Chagossian refugees are appealing to Prime Minister Gordon Brown to make a decision on their right to return to their islands.

They were expelled four decades ago by Britain from their tropical archipelago. This happened during the Cold War to make way for a U.S. military base on the island of Diego Garcia. The base has since been used for military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In May, Britain's High Court dismissed an appeal by the Foreign Office against the Chagossians' return, saying the right to go home was "one of the most fundamental liberties known to human beings".

Jacques Aristide takes a closer look at the Chagossians' struggle to go back to their homeland.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• chagos
• diego-garcia
• islands
• deportation
• UK
• Mauritius
• military
• base