Phillipe Sands attended a Mauritian flag-raising on the Chagos Islands, advocating for Mauritius’s claim over the territory, which Britain currently occupies. He argues this situation mirrors illegal occupations globally, emphasizing national security concerns. Starmer proposed a plan to exchange the islands for a lease on Diego Garcia, yet the deal faces scrutiny amidst political changes and questions about legality.
In 2022, International lawyer Phillipe Sands participated in a ceremony on the Chagos Islands, where the Mauritian flag was raised, alongside one of Sir Keir Starmer’s close associates. Sands has advocated for Mauritius’s claim over the Chagos Islands, arguing from a national security perspective that aligns with recent statements from Starmer’s office concerning a deal involving the UK’s archipelago and lease arrangements for Diego Garcia air base.
Sands has criticized Britain’s control over the Chagos Islands, equating the situation to the Russian annexation of Crimea. He has represented Mauritius for decades, asserting that the UK’s possession of the islands, formally the British Indian Ocean Territory, constitutes illegal occupation under international law. His arguments suggest that the UK’s military presence there is also unlawful, much like historical claims against other nations’ territorial occupations.
Starmer has proposed a deal allowing the UK to relinquish the archipelago while leasing the Diego Garcia base at an estimated cost of £9 billion for 99 years. A BBC report showed Sands participating in flag-raising activities, where he celebrated with the Mauritian Prime Minister, emphasizing the significance of the event for Mauritius. Sands documented these arguments in his evidence to a Commons committee, further reinforcing his legal perspective against the UK’s presence in the region.
The UK government has recently cited national security concerns regarding the deal, indicating that the viability of the Diego Garcia base’s operations depends on a continued agreement with Mauritius. Sands noted in his 2023 publication that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) could deem UK operations from Chagos unlawful due to legal challenges concerning the base’s status.
Uncertainty surrounds the proposed deal’s future, especially following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency and his secretary of state Marco Rubio’s public dissent. Resistance from the British Conservative Party has also emerged, with calls for transparency regarding the deal’s full cost before Parliament. Sands has been approached for additional commentary on the matter.
The Chagos Islands, originally part of Mauritius, have been under British control since the 1960s when the islands were separated from Mauritius before its independence. The controversy stems from Britain’s establishment of a military base at Diego Garcia, which has been the subject of international legal disputes. Legal experts like Phillipe Sands have emerged as prominent advocates for Mauritius, emphasizing claims to sovereignty and highlighting the parallels between Britain’s actions and unlawful occupations by other nations. Response to potential agreements regarding lease arrangements for Diego Garcia is heightened, especially considering geopolitical changes, including the U.S. political landscape.
The Chagos Islands dispute involves complex issues of sovereignty, international law, and military strategy. As various stakeholders, including the UK government and Mauritian representatives, navigate the legal and strategic implications of proposed deals, concerns over national security, international telecommunications regulation, and previous legal precedents remain paramount. The future of the Chagos agreement could significantly be affected by shifting political climates in both the U.S. and the UK.
Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
