Indigenous
Chagossian
People
News & Events
Between the 22nd and the 26th of June 2026, members of the ICP Group were privileged to participate in the international forum held at the historic Caux Palace in Switzerland, where leaders, changemakers, and peacebuilders from around the world gathered to explore the theme of Revitalising Democracy: Hope, Healing and Human Rights.
The forum provided a unique platform for meaningful dialogue on some of the most pressing challenges facing societies today. Two of our Native Chagossians born on Diego Garcia had the Opportunity to tell their stories if deportation and how it has affected the Chagossians community
For the ICP Group, the experience reinforced the importance of listening across differences, fostering mutual respect, and promoting human dignity as the foundation of lasting peace. The discussions highlighted that democracy flourishes not only through institutions, but through individuals who are willing to act with integrity, courage, and compassion.
Set against the inspiring backdrop of the Swiss Alps, the Caux Forum reminded participants that hope is not merely an aspiration but a responsibility—one that calls each of us to contribute to more inclusive, just, and peaceful communities.
The ICP Group returns from Caux with renewed inspiration, stronger international connections, and a shared commitment to advancing dialogue, healing, and human rights in our own communities and beyond.
Today, the 22nd of May 2026, ICP celebrates its first anniversary and, at the same time, the trial that reminded the British government that we mean business.
The year 2025 was a long year of struggle, marked by pain, tears, sweat, hope, and laughter, but through all these trials, we have thrived, we have become stronger and more determined than ever in defending our rights.
2026 is no exception: we remain hopeful and have the resources and the strength to continue. All ICP members wish to share this special day with all Chagossians and thank them for their support. And to other Indigenous peoples still fighting for their rights around the world, we want to say hold on, keep fighting, and do not lose hope.
A hundred years for the thieves and a day for the owner.
Our urgent appeal to CERD has led a UN body to expose what diplomacy tried to hide; the hypocrisy behind this treaty.
It is not the implementation of the 2019 ICJ Advisory Opinion. It is a perpetuation of colonization and a blatant violation of our rights to self-determination and return. This treaty must not be ratified.
It took almost 4 months to get a verdict for the October 2025 Court Case
Conclusions
The passing decades since the expulsion of the Chagossians from the Islands time have not healed the claimants’ sense of injustice. Their desire to return to their homeland has not abated. On an initial reading of the papers the strength of the defendant’s arguments shone through, but I reserved judgment for a number of reasons. Partly because of the wide-ranging nature of the allegations, the volume of paperwork and the long list of essential reading provided combined with insufficient pre-reading time. Also, in deference to the strength of the claimants’ feelings and the shamefulness of the treatment of the Chagossian people in the 1960s and 70s. I also had other cases in my list that day. Unfortunately, health issues and pressure of other work prevented me from preparing my judgment sooner for which I once again apologise. I appreciate that a quick decision is intended at or soon after an oral renewal hearing. Having now had time to read more deeply into the case papers, the claimants’ arguments remain as they first appeared for the reasons set out above. The defendant has delivered “a clear knock out blow” to each element of the claims, permission is refused and the claims are dismissed. It is therefore not necessary to consider the claimants’ application for a costs capping order.