Document Type
Blog Post
Publication Date
4-18-2024
Abstract
The opening act of 2024 featured David Cameron, the United Kingdom’s (UK) latest Foreign Secretary, dashing the hopes of a displaced people; the island natives of the Chagos Archipelago. The Chagos islanders (Chagossians) have waged a decades long battle for the right to return to their homeland, from which they were forcibly removed in the 1960’s and 70’s. The former Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, indicated that the UK was in negotiation regarding the resettlement of the Chagossians to their native islands. However, on January 9, 2024 Cameron stated that the return of the Chagossians to their islands was “not possible.” Cameron’s comments are the latest in a series of events surrounding control of the Chagos Archipelago, highlighting the continued failure of international law to protect powerless peoples.
This post was originally published on the Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review on April 18, 2024. The original post can be accessed via the Archived Link button above.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Cali, "The Chagos Archipelago: A Failure of International Law to Protect Powerless Peoples" (2024). Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review Blog. 110.
https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/ciclr-online/110
