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Biologist Sidney Holt absolutely shocked over Greenpeace stand on Chagos
» 28 Apr 2012
British marine biologist Dr Sidney Holt (formerly with FAO, UNESCO and the International Ocean Institute) is one of the world's leading authorities on fishery science. He has given permission to distribute this open letter to Greenpeace to others interested in the Chagos issue.
I have worked with and served in a variety of ways Greenpeace International and Italy and UK for 30 years ( Including, briefly, as Board Chairs of both the UK and Italian offices, and one of the original Soci Fondatori for Italy and close friend and associate of David McTaggart and other 'stars' among the founders of Greenpeace.). I was recently absolutely shocked to read that you had addressed a conference giving your support for the scam by the UK Government of declaring a MPA for the Chagos archipelago - excluding the ecologically destroyed Diego Garcia -which was devised by the Colonial authorities to help prevent the Chagossians returning to the homes from which they were evicted to make way for a US nuclear weapons and air-base.
Everyone interested in the Indian Ocean region and military policies and 'green' activities has known about this for many years, with suspicions being confirmed by internal message leaks.
Frankly I think your support for the UK-US actions is a total betrayal of the fundamental idea of Greenpeace as being concerned with both the 'environment' and Peace and People. Greenpeace seems to have lost its way utterly.
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Chagos and the play "Madogs"
» 19 Apr 2012
We have reported on this site about the play « Madogs » of Gaston Valayden, which has been staged in Mauritius in French and in creole under the title « Les Chiommes » over the past few years. The play gained international recognition at the San Francisco Fringe Festival in September, 2011, and was shortlisted amongst the 15 best external groups of that festival.
Gaston told us that the idea of writing the play on the expulsion of Chagossians came to him when the late Talate related to him the story of their dogs that were shot before they were deported in the 1970s. “A tiny lady with a big heart and a strong determination to fight for the right to return to her homeland." Talate explained "how she was shocked when this shameful act took place in front of their eyes."
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The U.S. Government Must Redress Wrongs Against the Chagossians
» 21 Mar 2012
Sign the Petition for the United States to Redress Wrongs Committed Against the Chagos Islanders. . .
This petition has subsequently been a very successful one. The Chagos Refugees Group has been able to gather over 28000 signatures. A reply from the White House on the Chagos case must now be forthcoming. More details to follow ...
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Petition to the White House
» 06 Mar 2012
During this election year in the USA, SPEAK Human Rights and Environmental Initiative, a human rights organisation is launching on behalf of the Chagos Refugees Group, a petition,to the
White House to bring to the fore tHe plight of ". We are seeking 25,000 online signatures. The deadline is 4 April 2012. “This petition is not only important to get the attention of the White House, it is important because it is an opportunity to show the world how much support we have globally. ” (Olivier Bancoult, Leader CRG).
We invite all visitors of this site to help reach 25000 signatures through whatever means they can so that the message spreads in fingerlike projection. To do so visit www.speakhumanrights.org and click on “Sign the petition”.
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Lisette Aurélie Talate - the departure of a freedom fighter
» 08 Jan 2012
Lisette Aurélie Talate a veteran militant activist and a founder member of the Chagos Refugee Group, passed away at the age of 70 on January 04, 2012. Her funeral took place at the “Saint Sacrément Church" at Cassis, Port Louis, on Thursday, January 06, where a huge crowd had turned out to pay their last respects to a woman who had relentlessly struggled for the right of Chagossians to return to their homeland. In the presence of many local personalities, namely: Paul Bérenger, Leader of the Opposition, Arvind Boollel, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cassam Uteem, former President of the Republic of Mauritius, as well as several dignitaries of the Catholic Church, Lawyer Mardaymootoo and the whole Chagossian community of Mauritius -- a remarkable tribute was paid to an exceptional woman.
Speakers, close to the late Talate, highlighted the struggle of the woman who fought for a cause she held dear to her heart. She had on several occasions stated that her dream was to die in Diego Garcia. A caring mother of several children, she was first deported from Diego Garcia to Peros Bahnos and from there to Mauritius. She lost two of her youngest children who, she maintained, died of sorrow at the time of their deportation from Diego Garcia.
The strong presence of the Chagossian community in Mauritius at the funeral, along with sympathisers from various sections of the Mauritian society, undoubtedly, sent a strong message that the right of return of Chagossians to their homeland was an issue that had not died down. The first and successive generations of Chagossians, who congregated at her funeral service, reiterated, with deep emotion, that their battle for the right to return home was far from over.
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The Chagos International Support (CIS) raises the issue of the Chagos Archipelago at a meeting on human rights in Geneva
» 17 Oct 2011
At the 9th session of Human Rights Gathering “9ème Rassemblement des Droits Humains” in Geneva on 10 October, 2011, the President of the Chagos International Support (CIS), in the presence of State Councillor Isabel Rochat of the Geneva Government, Mr. William Lacy Swing, Director General of the International Organisation for Migration, and many NGOs, raised the question of Chagos as an occupied territory by two members of United Nations Security Council, namely: United Kingdom and USA. These countries are refusing to recognize the right of Chagossians to return to their homeland. The President highlighted the fact that for over 40 years now, a peaceful population has been denied the basic human rights and had been deported in abject conditions from their homeland. This matter, he stressed, needed to be rectified.
The President's message was well received and many human rights NGOs expressed their support to Chagos International Support. It was evident in the room that many participants were not aware of the Chagos situation and were shocked to hear of such a story in the post colonial era. The role of Chagos International Support is precisely to use the international fora, wherever possible, to raise the issue of the violation of basic human rights and plead for the right of Chagossians to be allowed to return to their homeland unconditionally. At a time when UK and USA are both fighting ferociously for the sake of democracy in the Arab world, it is ironic that the same principle is not being applied for the people of the Chagos Archipelago. This sad issue concerns a few thousands of deported people who want to go home. They are scattered mainly in Mauritius, Seychelles and London. The world must become aware of the blatant injustice done to them.
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A thesis on the Marine Protected Area in the Chagos Archipelago
» 10 Oct 2011
Congratulations to Wendy Paratian who obtained her Masters in Development Studies from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland this summer. Previously Wendy obtained her BSc in Ecology and Tourism Development from Oxford Brookes University. The 74-page thesis centered on “The Complexities surrounding the Marine Protected Area in the Chagos Archipelago” is a concentration of information on the Marine Protected Area and provides a critical analysis of the pros and cons of the MPA. In order to write up the thesis, Wendy was privileged to have extensive interviews with several key stakeholders of the Chagos issue in Mauritius, Geneva and London. The thesis is a rational contribution for those who want to understand the implications behind the MPA as opposed to human rights. In her preface, Wendy dedicates this work “ to all Chagossians and to everyone concerned with the Chagossian cause, and who are willing to find a sustainable solution uniting human right and environmental conservation”.
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A Rotten Little Story
» 04 Aug 2011
More plays on the plight of Chagossians should be encouraged. It is a form of expression to state the kind of injustice done to a deported population. "A Rotten Little Story" to be featured in Edinburg is a case in point .... (Photo: courtesy Karin Sinniger
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A new publication in French on Chagos by Georges Lazarre : “Les Martyrs de Cinco Chagas”
» 12 Jun 2011
We are pleased to announce our visitors of the newly published French book on Chagos. Born in 1968 at Saint-Paul, Réunion Island, Georges Lazarre has some 20 years experience in journalism and is a lover of history. He says that even at the microscopic level, he wishes to invest for just causes. He would like to thank Ms Hélène Doyen and the “Editions Orphie” team for the confidence they have bestowed upon him.
Read in French the résumé of “Les Martyrs de Cinco Chagas”.
You can order the book at :
http://www.amazon.fr/Martyrs-Cincos-Chagas-Georges-Lazarre/dp/2877636763
http://www.librairiedialogues.fr/recherche/?g=georges+lazarre
(Photo: Karin Sinniger)
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.The CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO : Convergence, Hope and Revolt
» 02 Jun 2011
The Chagos case is a matter for world concern because of the great injustice done to an illegally deported population from their island home some 40 years ago. In that connection, we need to highlight some of the recent events that occurred during the past weeks that show a convergence looming, a rebirth hope as well as a deep sense of revolt over the denial of justice to the Chagos people.
(Photo: Karin Sinniger "The giant clown"
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The Right of Return for Chagossians high on the agenda
» 29 May 2011
The Conference of 19 May 2011 entitled "Chagos Regagné" has been an opportunity for the Chagossian community to voice their opinion. Olivier Bancoult, Leader of the CRG who was present in London for the Conference participated with enthusiasm and raised a number of questions on the operation of the Marine Protected Area. CIS highlights the press conference he gave in Mauritius as reported by l'Express on 26 May 2011. The version is in French
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Pew Environment Group complains of postings misrepresenting its position
» 27 May 2011
Josh Reichert, Managing Director of the Pew Environment Group has written to Chagos International Support stating that Pew's position on the Chagos Marine Reserve is being misrepresented. CIS reported almost ad verbatim on this website what Mr Philippe Sands stated at the London Conference "Chagos Regagné" on 19 May 2011. Chagos International has the mandate to raise awareness on the Chagos case at the international level and to support the inalienable and legitimate right of Chagossians to return home. We believe that everyone is entitled to his own opinion. For CIS all projects in the region should include the right of return in the equation. Read more on Pew's views ....
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Billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli will scuba dive in the Chagos
» 23 May 2011
Tara Loader Wìlkinson of Wall Street Journal Europe 16 May 2011 refers to Ernest Bertarelli as a Planet Saver. The human aspect surrounding Chagos is not included in the equation though! Multimillonaire Bertarelli will scuba dive in the Chagos waters as a very happy and successful defender to increase fish population and this "touches his emotional fibre". Deported Chagossians had their "emotional fibre" frozen for 42 years now! The photo of Karin Sinniger that you see on the left is a Giant Tortoise from the Chagos.
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Constructive proposals for the Chagos
» 23 May 2011
Chagos International Support believes in concrete and do-able proposals for Chagossians to return home. David Snoxell who has at one time served as UK High Commissioner in Mauritius and who is now Co-ordinator, Chagos Islands all-party parliamentary group has a thorough knowledge of the Chagos saga. His views on The Guardian of Monday 23 May 2011 make sense.
Photo: Karin Sinniger
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The PEW Environment Group is working against the interest of Chagos Islanders, says Philippe Sands
» 21 May 2011
The Pew Environment Group and a leading member of the Chagos Environment Network, which is a coalition of nine conversation and scientific organisations seeking to protect the biodiversity of Chagos Islands, came under severe attack by Lawyer Phillippe Sands at a London meeting entitled “Chagos Regagné” on 19 May 2010. In presence of the representative Alistair Gammell , UK Director of Global Ocean Legacy, Mr Sands stated that PEW is implicated in the designed and disguised policy to prevent Chagossians to return and that their intention to protect Chagos is secondary. He further stated that it is illegal for the UK to create an MPA in the Chagos Archipelago. CEN celebrated the 1st anniversary of the MPA saying much has happened since this designation.
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The Chagos UK Support group building synergies
» 21 May 2011
At a meeting in London on 19 May organised by Roch Evenor, Ben Fogle and Philippa Gregory, all members of the UK Chagos Support Group, the Chagossians were able to express their views on matters of their concern
Photo Karin Sinniger
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"Stealing a Nation" by John Pilger is a true picture of what happened in the Chagos Archipelago in the late 60s.
» 17 May 2011
Dear Visitors,
The film "Stealing a Nation" by John Pilger is a true picture of what happened in the Chagos Archipelago in the late 60s. The role of the "Chagos International Support" is to raise awareness on the Chagos case.
Although a lot of events unfolded between the time the film was run and now, it does elicit the milestones of the Chagos saga. We believe that the injustice done to a deported population should be rectified in a modern world. This film deserves a wider distribution.
We thank John Pilger for his kind courtesy
You can download it at :
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3667764379758632511#
(Photo: Karin Sinniger)
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New publication on Chagos
» 14 May 2011
Every book and research work that focus on Chagos is a valuable asset to convince the world that the Chagos case is about a deported population and that this violation of human rights should be rectified. The right of return must remain high on all Chagos agendas. We are happy to welcome Sand J.T.M Evers and Marry Kooy co-authors of the book “Eviction from the Chagos
Islands: Displacement and Struggle for Identity between Two World Powers” that will be launched on 31 May 2011.
Order now at http://www.brill.nl/eviction-chagos-islands
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CHAGOS REGAINED "CHAGOS REGAGNÉ"
» 11 May 2011
Chagos International Support President will participate in the Conference on the future of Chagos which is being convened in London at the Royal Geographic Society on 19 May 2011.
(Photo: Karin Sinniger)
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Chagos visible at the international level
» 02 May 2011
We have on several occasions pointed out the necessity to ensure a visible and sustained presence at the international level with respect to the Chagos. After consultations, proposals and advice from different actors at several levels, it is in Geneva, the international city that “Chagos International Support (CIS)” was born on 29 April 2011.
(Photo: A gathering of Chagossians in Mauritius, 2011, Venen Paratian)
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Selected visit to Chagos
» 28 Apr 2011
This is a recent story written by Ms Bernadette Dugasse, who were amongst the few chosen Chagossians to visit the Chagos archipelago.
No commercial flights fly to Diego Garcia. The visitors are flown from Singapore to Diego Garcia by military plane. The report submitted in original has not been edited. Mme Ducasse was deported with her family to Seychelles in the 1970s. She later went to London.
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