Britain's Occupation of Chagos Islands Threatens Indo-Pacific Order

Britain’s Occupation of Chagos Islands Threatens Indo-Pacific Order

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A Glaring Example of Undermining International Norms

The United Kingdom’s continued occupation of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is a stark reminder of how one country can disregard international norms and values. Britain’s actions have consistently disregarded the principles of self-determination, human rights, and international law.

Self-Determination Denied

Forcible Removal of Chagossians

The Chagossians, descendants of African slaves who were forcibly removed from their homeland by British authorities in the 1960s and 1970s, continue to be denied their right to return and exercise self-determination. The separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965 was a clear violation of customary international law.

Key Facts:

The Chagossians were forcibly removed from their homeland by British authorities.
The separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965 violated customary international law.
The Chagossians continue to be denied their right to return and exercise self-determination.

Forced Displacement Continues

The Rome Statute prohibits forced displacement as both a war crime and a crime against humanity. Britain’s coercive expulsion of the Chagossians in the 1960s and 1970s was a blatant violation of this principle, and the ongoing denial of their right to return is a continuing crime.

Key Facts:

The Rome Statute prohibits forced displacement as both a war crime and a crime against humanity.
Britain’s coercive expulsion of the Chagossians in the 1960s and 1970s was a blatant violation of this principle.
The ongoing denial of the Chagossians’ right to return is a continuing crime.

Disregard for International Mechanisms

Britain’s refusal to acknowledge the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that its occupation of the Chagos Islands is illegal demonstrates its unwillingness to have foreign policy choices constrained by international institutions and norms. The United Kingdom’s actions create a “grey hole” in the Indian Ocean, where many treaties do not apply.

Key Facts:

Britain’s refusal to acknowledge the ICJ ruling that its occupation of the Chagos Islands is illegal demonstrates its unwillingness to have foreign policy choices constrained by international institutions and norms.
The United Kingdom’s actions create a “grey hole” in the Indian Ocean, where many treaties do not apply.

Consequences for the Rules-Based Order

The implications of Britain’s non-compliant behavior are severe. It undermines the unity of the rules-based order, compromising the peaceful co-existence and cooperation of states. The consequences will be detrimental to the provision of public goods, including rule of international law.

Key Facts:

Britain’s non-compliant behavior undermines the unity of the rules-based order.
The consequences of Britain’s actions will be detrimental to the provision of public goods, including rule of international law.

Britain Must Dissolve BIOT

For Britain to satisfy its commitment to the rules-based order and international law, it must dissolve BIOT and cede sovereignty of the Chagos to Mauritius. Anything less would perpetuate a gross injustice and undermine the very principles that the United Kingdom claims to uphold.

Key Facts:

Britain must dissolve BIOT and cede sovereignty of the Chagos to Mauritius.
Anything less would perpetuate a gross injustice and undermine the very principles that the United Kingdom claims to uphold.

The United States and Australia, as key partners in the Indo-Pacific region, have a responsibility to pressure Britain to change its stance on this issue. Together, they must ensure that the rules-based order is upheld and that international law is respected.