by Anne-Lise and Laure (March 15, 2004)

before

after

The Chagos islands are situated in the Indian Ocean. The archipelago has 65 islands, the biggest is Diego Garcia with 44 km2.
The total area of the archipelago (ocean surface included) is 50,000 km2, with only 63.17 km2 of land.

The inhabitants are descendants from African slaves, sent to these islands because they had diseases.

They had a peaceful life, in paradisiac landscapes, until one day the Americans bought this archipelago from England for 50 years, because they found these islands were well situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, very convenient to control Asian and African air and maritime traffic. In 1966 the 2,000 inhabitants were forced to leave their islands to Mauritius island and abandon all their goods. It was the last time they saw their house, their work, their real life, their happiness,… their island.

In 1971 American soldiers invaded the islands. The Chagos houses vanished, they were replaced by some army buildings, many roads and take-off runways, more useful and more conveninent. The beautiful landscapes vanished too, for hundreds of different kinds of army planes and many arms.

Nowadays the Chagosians are still on Mauritius island, they are very poor and live in shantytowns in the suburbs of Port Louis, the capital. Most of them are unemployed.

There are now 8,000 of them. They want answers to their questions, they want some explanations, some apologies from the USA, they want to know how this crime was possible. They want money, jobs and above all, to be allowed to see and go to their island, their paradise.

A movie was realised by David Constantin on this subject : "Diego l’interdite".

If you wish to react to this article, write to the editor.

It's incredible to see the difference between the two photos of this article. The Americans scorned humans rights reducing the inhabitants of the Chagos islands to misery.

Benjamin (Nantes, France)

Hi guys!! What a sad way to take over such a beautiful tropical island! That shouldn't be allowed! I'm glad that someone told us about an otherwise unknown situation, thanks Anne Lise and Laure!! miss you lots and think about you all the time:) Keep up all the good work!!! love

Marni (Thames, N.Z.)

We are indignant about this absurd destruction of a natural eden and of its population.

Oct 7, 2004

I had no idea about the plight of the Chagossians until last night when I watched a documentary on ITV. I never realised just how inhumane the British and American Governments could be, it really angers me to know that this didn’t happen centuries ago but just a few decades ago, and is still not rectified.
As an ordinary person I feel so helpless, and saddened. We go to war with Saddam, who undoubtedly had some human rights issues, but our governments in the West, are they any better? I’m beginning to have my doubts.

Jonathan West (London) 

Oct 9, 2004

I have just watched a report on ITV this evening (7th October 2004) which highlights the plight of the Chagossians. What America and the UK Governments of the 1960's have done is nothing short of an outrage.
The Americans believe they are the Guardians of Democracy. This is complete rubbish! They are the self appointed police force of this planet. They continuously breach Human Rights. Look at Vietman, Iraq for starters. When they have shown they will respect Human Rights; when they have shown they are honest, then the world will perhaps accept them! Perhaps!

Ronald (Peterborough, UK)