10,560
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 10,560/100,000
We are concerned that the United Kingdom could pay billions of pounds over decades, which we find alarming at a time when there have been cuts to services for the vulnerable. We are deeply saddened that people across the United Kingdom are suffering economically. We oppose any increases in taxation, as well as cuts to expenditure, until this Treaty is cancelled. We find it unfair to suffer the cost of the Treaty, especially as many of the indigenous people oppose it. We cannot afford this Deal.
The Diego Garcia military base deal is vital for our defence and intelligence. The deal protects our national security for generations and ensures that the UK maintains unique defence capabilities.
This Government is deeply committed to the national security of this country. The Diego Garcia Military Base was at risk, and we acted to protect our national interests and prevent adversaries from gaining a foothold in a location of exceptional, and unique, strategic importance.
The Diego Garcia Military Base is vital to our defence and intelligence capabilities, and therefore to the safety and security of the British people. The Base is essential not only to UK national security but also to the security of our key allies. As the world grows more dangerous, so too does the importance of the base for our national security.
International courts were already making decisions in favour of Mauritius, threatening the continued operation of the Base, and its security. If Mauritius were to take us to court, we are unlikely to be successful in defending the UK’s position on sovereignty. Such a scenario would cause real-world operational impacts on the base. We would also have no basis to prevent China or other nations setting up installations on the outer islands or carrying out joint exercises near the base.
The Government has published the full forecasted costs of the Treaty and laid them in the House. The costs consist of a direct annual payment to Mauritius, a development fund, and a trust fund to benefit Chagossians. The forecast average cost per year was set out as £101 million.
The costs of this deal compare favourably to other international basing agreements, and other UK bases abroad.
The Chagos Archipelago has no permanent population and has never been self-governing. We have been clear in our regret for the manner in which Chagossians were removed from the islands in the 1960s and 70s. We recognise the importance of the islands to Chagossians as well as the different views amongst Chagossians - including several groups that welcome the deal.
The only viable path to resettlement on the Archipelago is through the Agreement with Mauritius. This permits Mauritius to undertake a programme of resettlement except on Diego Garcia, and subject to security measures to protect the operation of the Diego Garcia base.
We have also worked hard to ensure that the Diego Garcia treaty reflects the interests of all Chagossians. We have agreed a new trust fund for Mauritius to use in support of Chagossians and the resumption of visits to the Chagos Archipelago. Separate to the agreement, we will support Chagossians living in the UK through new and existing projects.
To ensure that the Chagossians’ views are properly reflected, the trust fund will be operated for Chagossians, by Chagossians. The Fund will be overseen by a Management Board with a Chagossian majority, including a UK based representative and a Chagossian Chair.
The first duty of any government is to keep its people safe. The UK–Mauritius Agreement meets that duty whilst ensuring that both countries remain committed to supporting Chagossians, in the UK and around the world.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office