Chagos: the Pressure Increases on the British Government

If, on the one hand, the Court of Arbitration of the Chagos, established under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), ruled that Britain will, for the first time, s explain the dismemberment of the territory of Mauritius, on the other, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) of the House of Commons multiplies the efforts for a diplomatic solution can be generated between London and Port-Louis prior to the Commonwealth Summit in Mauritius in October 2015.

"The Group Noted que les 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Would Be Held in Mauritius. It was therefore crucial que le Mauritius settled FCO and Their differences in a friendly Manner before then, "explained APPG members at their last monthly meeting.

Barrage of questions

Pressure rises to the British House of Commons where the 'Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mark Simmonds, is subjected to a barrage of questions about the Chagos since the beginning of the year. Responding to a parliamentary question from Andrew George on the resettlement of the Chagossians, the spokesman for the British government cited difficulties related to the return of the natives of the islands on their land.

"The fundamental difficulties are numerous. Any long-term settlement would be precarious and very costly. The outer islands, which have been uninhabited for 40 years, are low-lying and lack all basic facilities and infrastructure. The cost of infrastructure and public services would become a heavy ongoing contingent liability for the UK tax-payer", he said.

Asked by MP Jeremy Corbyn announced for the year December 20, 2012 to "take stock of the resettlement policy towards" Mark Simmonds replied that this process is ongoing.

In addition, the next appointment of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which is scheduled on Wednesday, will see the participation of David Miliband, who is none other than the brother of the leader of the Labour Party and the opposition Ed Miliband. He was recently appointed co-chair of the Global Marine Conservation. The APPG also consolidated since, welcoming two new members who are Lord Prescott, former Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Ashcroft, former vice president of the Conservative party. A further meeting will be held April 17 to be attended Olivier Bancoult the Chagos Refugees Group (RCMP).

On the other hand, the RCMP seized the London court for a 'Judicial Review' on the sea area around the Chagos Archipelago.