Human Rights Watch, an international non-governmental organisation, released a 100-page report on Wednesday. The decision by Britain to relocate the native Chagos islanders has been described as a crime against humanity by the organisation. The United Kingdom is now committing an appalling colonial crime, treating the Chagos people as people without rights,” said Clive Baldwin, the author of the document. In its report, the international NGO published testimonies as well as official documents that demonstrate ‘racial persecution’ by London, supported by Washington.
In a statement to Agence France-Presse, a British Foreign Office official categorically refuted the characterisation of events. He explained that London had already expressed its ‘deep regret’ over the matter. However, AFP says it has not been able to get a reaction from the US.
In its report, Human Rights Watch calls on London and Washington to provide full reparations to the Chagossian people and to allow them to live on their native islands.
