London: The UK Supreme Court has dashed the dreams of Chagos Islanders, issuing a verdict that prevents the exiles from going back. The court upheld a 2008 ruling of the House of Lords in a three to two vote.
Families were made to leave the Indian Ocean islands in the 1960s and 70s, for a US Air Force base to be constructed in Diego Garcia, largest of the group of islands. An Immigration Order was issued preventing anyone from going back, in 1971. Olivier Bancoult, Chargossian leader, who has also been representing the islanders in the case, argued that the decision should be set aside. The panel of five judges were told it relied heavily on a 2002 feasibility study into resettlement, which concluded that the costs of long-term inhabitation of the outer islands would be prohibitive and life there, precarious.
The courts had ruled in 2000 that the Chagossians could return to 65 of the islands, but not to Diego Garcia. However, the government, in 2004, used the royal prerogative, exercised by ministers in the Queen's name, to effectively nullify the decision. In 2007, the following year, the government won an appeal, and the House of Lords ruled that the exiles could not return. Sabrina Jean from West Sussex, chairs the Chagos Refugees UK group. Her father was a native of the islands and is one of the 3,000-strong Chagossian community who live in the town. "We are disappointed about the result but we will never give up. We will continue our fight to find justice for the Chagossian community. All the people have the right to live on the islands."
