BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY: Exiled Islanders Report Heritage Erasure on Identity Documents

The Chagos Islands community has been rocked by a shocking development, as Mauritius has been issuing new identity documents to exiled islanders with their place of birth altered to “Mauritius” and names of parents removed. This move has sparked outrage among the affected individuals, who are descendants of native Chagossians forcibly evicted from their Indian Ocean homeland in the 1960s to make way for a US military base on Diego Garcia.

Seven Chagossians Come Forward with Altered Documents

Seven Chagossians have bravely come forward, alleging that they have received passports and birth certificates with their place of birth replaced with “Mauritius” and the names of their parents omitted. Marie Sagai, who was born on Peros Banhos, recalled being told by a passport officer that her homeland does not exist.

Traumatic Experience for Exiled Islanders

“It’s traumatic, and it makes you lose your dignity,” said a 65-year-old Chagossian, who wishes to remain anonymous, after renewing his passport in Seychelles. “I don’t have a place I can call home.”

Mauritius’ Claim to Disputed Territory

The move is seen as an attempt by Mauritius to assert its claim to the disputed territory, which has been a source of contention since 1965. In 2022, Mauritius formally challenged Britain’s ownership of the islands after a ruling by the International Court of Justice found that the UK had acted unlawfully in retaining colonial ownership.

Chagossians Seek Self-Determination and Heritage Recognition

The Chagossians are seeking self-determination and fear that any transfer of ownership to Mauritius would erase their identity. Many have applied for British citizenship, but reports suggest that they are being denied recognition of their heritage on new documents.

“We feel violated,” said Bernadette Dugasse, who received a passport stating she was born in Mauritius instead of Diego Garcia. “Nobody should have the right to remove somebody’s place of birth. I’m so worried.”

Call for Rights and Heritage Recognition

As the fate of the Chagos Islands hangs in the balance, exiled islanders are calling for their rights to be respected and their heritage to be recognized.

• The UK Home Office declined to comment on the issue.
• The Mauritian government did not respond to requests for comment.