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THE CHAGOS FILES. We investigate. For you.
For more, read on....
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THE CHAGOS FILES which I edit was set up in 2025 following years of research and filming on the issue of the Chagos Islands and democracy. I needed to get the stories out. It is funded by readers. And now the team is in talks about a documentary film commission.
Nobody cared about the issue when I started in 2009. No tv or film commissions were forthcoming. Meanwhile Chagossians in Britain carried on campaigning, lobbying, and going to court and the UN.
My team was there. We filmed them. I talked to many Chagossian campaigners and families. Setbacks, there have been many. Courage, strength and determination, there is in abundance.
Fastforward to 11 April 2026, today.
And there is a window of hope that Chagossians may get the right to resettle and self-determination. However the cards the UK Government holds are strong. Ultimately they can use Royal Prerogative powers and make foreign policy decisions about sovereignty and regardless of what the British public and our representatives may think.
Current state of play:
[] LEGAL OPPORTUNITY FOR CHALLENGE Chagossian people born on the islands and forcibly removed now can argue there case against the civil servants who run the islands, in a normal court [not a British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) court].
[] DEMOCRATIC OPPORTUNITY TO STOP THE TREATY BILL RETURNING IN THE FUTURE The UK Government has dropped the Chagos Islands handover of sovereignty to Mauritius treaty bill from the King's Speech - which means there is time for the British public to express what they think, for pro-British sovereignty campaigners and Chagossians who want the islands to remain British to campaign democratically, including at court for their cause
[] THE USA APPEARS TO HAVE A DIPLOMATIC VETO OVER WHAT HAPPENS President Trump has not given his continuing support to the deal, following Britain's foreign policy over the Iran War
[] 5 CHAGOSSIANS ARE STILL LIVING ON THE ISLANDS Currently 5 Chagossians live on the Ile de Coin, Chagos Islands - their future depends on the outcome of a future court case against BIOT and the continuing financial support of several wealthy supporters paying for supply boats
[] BRITISH PEOPLE: SHOULD THEY HAVE A SAY ABOUT SOVEREIGN TERRITORY NOW? British people may get to know more about this issue and decide to act, and voice what they think about British sovereign territory and the rights of British people born on it
[] Nobody predicted the above. Anything could happen
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How did 60 years of British rule over The Chagos Islands end up here?
Read and support THE CHAGOS FILES. We investigate. For you.
THE CHAGOS FILES team/11 April 2026._______________________________________________
Tessa Clarke, Editor, THE CHAGOS FILES
on X at @tessaclarkelive
