The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has recently passed an important judgement. The ICJ has asked the United Kingdom to return the Chagos Archipelago to its original owner – Mauritius. This decision has significant implications for international diplomacy, sovereignty, and the process of decolonization.
ICJ’s Groundbreaking Decision
The ICJ declared that the continued British occupation of the Chagos archipelago is illegal. In their advisory opinion, they stated that the process of decolonization of Mauritius was incomplete when the country got independence in 1968. This was because the Chagos Archipelago, which was part of Mauritius, was separated. The ICJ has asked the UK to give up its administrative control over the Chagos Archipelago as quickly as possible.
Background of the Case
In 2017, the ICJ, which listens and passes judgement on international boundary disputes, was referred the case after a vote in the UN general assembly. Mauritius argued in its submission to the ICJ last year that it was coerced into giving up the Chagos Islands. The separation of the islands was in violation of UN resolution 1514, passed in 1960, which explicitly banned the division of colonies before independence. The UK, on the other hand, contested that the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case.
Likely Impact of the Decision
In the United Kingdom, the ICJ’s decision, albeit advisory, is a blow to the nation’s prestige on the global stage. Interestingly, during the UN general assembly vote in 2017, the UK’s dwindling international influence was apparent with many European Countries not supporting the UK and traditional allies like Canada abstaining.
The Mauritius government has welcomed the decision, describing it as a “historic moment in efforts to bring colonialism to an end, and to promote human rights, self-determination and the international rule of law”.
Despite this ruling, the U.S. military base is unlikely to be affected as Mauritius maintained in the UN General Assembly that it remains committed to the continued operation of the base in Diego Garcia under a long-term framework.
More About the Chagos Archipelago
The Chagos Archipelago, a group of islands in the central Indian Ocean, is located about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) south of the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent. These islands were governed from Mauritius, a British Colony, in the 19th century. The UK retained possession of the Chagos Archipelago, which includes the strategic US airbase of Diego Garcia, even after Mauritius gained its independence in 1968. The UK paid Mauritius more than £4m for these islands, referring to it as British Indian Ocean Territory or BIOT.
Table of Key Facts about the Chagos Archipelago
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 1,000 miles south of the Indian subcontinent |
| Included in the territory | US airbase of Diego Garcia |
| Original owner | Mauritius |
| Current owner | UK (possession disputed) |
India’s Stand on the Issue
India has sided with Mauritius on the Chagos Archipelago dispute. In its submission to the ICJ, India stated that the Chagos Archipelago belongs to Mauritius and demanded sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago from Britain, staying committed to its Indian Ocean neighbor, Mauritius, as well as its anti-colonial credentials.
