My Island Home - Chagos Islands

April 2007
Three decades ago the Chagos islanders were forced from their homes by an American military installation. We hear of the islander's hopes ahead of the landmark court case that will rule their eviction illegal.

The Chagossians have a song, "We have no identity. We have no nationality. We are an uprooted people living in abject poverty." Their identity and nationality was stolen by international necessity: the Americans needed their islands in order to control military operations in the Middle East. Now, their cause has been taken up by the liberal lobby in the UK, and their wish, "for a wonderful life, in our native land" may be granted.

Produced by SBS/Dateline
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

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News & Politics

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[Mattythewelshman]

The only reason this happens, is because the British Public are not allowed to know. I think we British should wake up and see our Governments as what they truely are. We have every right to be ashamed.

[32eire32jim]

british people are shameless and disgusting, the royal family should be killed along with all the ruling classes and whoever is loyal to them. There must be a conveyor belt of brainwashed soulless idiots in britain to have carried out such attrocities on our planet against other human beings, britain is satan's playground and it is a Godless country full of evil idiots

[clsteele]

@32eire32jim you're nothing but a mentally subnormal little child are you?

why should the royal family and the wealthy by killed? aye £10 says youre a poor person and are jealous.

[cardboardcitztv]

youtube.com/watch?v=qxkuZ47T1h­8 

[cardboardcitztv]

Cardboard Citizens have taken a keen interest in the Chagosian struggle over the years, and have now delved into the history through theatre. Written with personal testimonies of those who lived through the struggle, we are performing in February/March in London this year...

[madman1939]

@32eire32jim It is dissappointing how one clearly biased video can cause a person to think such violent thoughts. You should go to the chagos conservation website and look at the other side of the story. I also sence some in your comments that you are using the chagos as an outlet for preconceited racist anger. I am ashamed that 14 other people have can agree with the ramblings of an idiot.

[ScotteDio]

Hoorah NAVY!!!!

[LoveMeLoveMyDog80]

@flosssock The official OK policy regarding overseas territories is that "they are British as long as they wish to remain British". So, in principle, if the Chagossians said they no longer wish to be British, the UK would be obliged to grant them independence. That won't happen, because America wants the archipelago for itself, and so the UK abuses the Chagossians on their behalf. Ideally, I would like to see the islands as a devolved region of the UK, like Scotland, with full UK and EU rights.

[briefboyz]

@2009mrdyslexia - Does standing up to Britain include the 22.5bn euro given by the EFSF and the bi-lateral loans given by the UK Government? I have many friends in the Republic and visit there about 5 times a year. I have never had the misfortune to meet anyone like you in all the times I have visited.

[briefboyz]

@2009mrdyslexia - After reading this comment I wonder where you do your research and lecturing? It is no idol request but one born out of necessity - I would not want my children attending such an educational establishment.

[briefboyz]

I will defend the right of any UK Overseas Territory to remain a part of the UK as long as a majority of the inhabitants of that Territory desire it. What the Chagos Islanders have had to endure is criminal and the lack of commitment on behalf of the UK Government to stop this criminal act is reprehensible.