Indigenous
Chagossian
People
Meet Our Team
Mrs Bernadette Dugasse
President
Bernadette is a Chagossian Native, born on Diego Garcia. At 2 years old, I was uprooted and dumped on the pier in the Seychelles, that is where she grew up. She became an activist and started campaigning for the Chagossian community in 1995 till now.
Ms Beatrice Pompé
Chair Person
Beatrice is a Chagossian Native born on Diego Garcia. Inhumanely deported to the Seychelles in 1971. She has been living in London for 23 years and is a strong-minded activist fighting for the right to go back home. What happened 60 years ago should not happen again. She filed a court case on the 22nd of May 2025 to stop the UK-Mauritius agreement and another one on the 28th of October 2025, still awaiting a verdict.
London,
cinanbertrice@yahoo.co.uk Tel: (+44) 7792564460
Mrs Cynthia Othello
Secretary
Cynthia is a Chagossian descendant, the founder of the Association of Chagossians in France, and a committed activist for justice, memory, and the right of return of the Chagossian people. In 2001–2002, She participated in legal actions before the UK High Court. She continue to advocate for the Chagossian cause internationally, including at the United Nations, and serve as Secretary of the ICP.
,France info@indigenouschagossianp.com Tel: +336 27 84 12 96
Mrs Elodie Tranchez
Legal Adviser
Elodie Tranchez is an international human rights lawyer and academic with a PhD, specialising in strategic litigation before UN human rights mechanisms. She teaches human rights law and public international law, inter alia.
Elodie Tranchez has been actively involved in coordinating and contributing to the litigation and advocacy efforts around the Chagos Archipelago dispute, following the 2025 UK–Mauritius Agreement concerning the future of the territory. In this context, she coordinated the litigation campaign of several Chagossian groups before UN human rights mechanisms after the 2025 agreement was signed.
This included work related to an urgent appeal that led to a significant decision by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in December 2025 (Decision 1 (2025)). The CERD decision found that aspects of the UK–Mauritius agreement were inconsistent with human rights parameters of decolonisation, and called inter alia on both States to suspend ratification of the agreement and consult the Chagossian community meaningfully. and started campaigning for the Chagossian community in 1995 till now.
,Geneva info@indigenouschagossianp.com
Mr Tobias Noskwith
Mrs Nicole Wüthrich
Treasury
Nicole is a Chagossian descendant and dedicated activist committed to the recognition of the rights of the Chagossian people. Together with her late husband, she worked to unite and organize the community, notably through the 'Comité Suisse Aux Chagossiens.'
They helped bring the voice of the Chagossian people to the United Nations and before the High Court of Justice in London in 2000.
They are also the designers of the Chagossian flag, orange, black, and blue, a symbol of identity and resilience for the Chagossian people.
Mr Steeve Bancal
Outreach Advocate
Steeve Bancal has lived in the UK for the past 23 years and is based in West Sussex. A proud father of two and a dedicated advocate supporting people experiencing homelessness, providing outreach support, and helping individuals access essential services. I offer guidance and signposting to housing and social support, connecting people with the right organisations and resources, making systems easier to navigate during difficult times.
In 2024, he was awarded a Dedicated Volunteer Award in Crawley for his on-the-ground support work, recognising his commitment to helping others access services and support.
As a member of the Chagossian community, he brings lived experience, cultural understanding, and a strong commitment to supporting Chagossian communities nationwide in the UK and worldwide. His work is driven by compassion, dignity, and the belief that everyone deserves access to safe housing and the support needed to rebuild their lives.