To all my fellow Chagossians

Since 2002, apart from receiving British passports, what have we truly been given?

Yet we have worked hard, contributed to British society, and paid our taxes like every other citizen.

At the same time, our homeland was rented out to others without our consent and without any benefit to our people.

We have asked the British Government to support us, to involve us in decisions about our future. But we were ignored, told we had no authority because we are not a government.

Let me make this clear: we are not here to take sides.

Yes, many Chagossians feel closer to Britain and have placed their hopes in the UK.

But we must also recognise that the British Government played a major role in our suffering.

It is a political game and this is why we have never shown preference to either the British or the Mauritian government because both have a responsibility for what happened to us.

We also understand that many Chagossians do not feel represented by Mauritius, and we respect that, but the reality is that the law now favours Mauritius, and the financial resources are going in that direction.

So, if some Chagossians choose not to engage with the Mauritian government, that is their right, but for those who want to make sure we are not left behind; we are ready to speak up.

We are prepared to take part in future discussions to ensure our people finally receive what they have been waiting for: justice, recognition, and reparations.

We will not wait another 99 years.

Some may stay silent, and some may disapprove but others are ready to stand up.

And I speak on behalf of those who want to be included when the time comes before it’s too late.

The land may be in the hands of governments, but the soul of the Chagos Islands belongs to us, the Chagossian people.

Let us be treated fairly and rightfully, as we deserve.

And we will no longer accept being pushed aside.

Isabelle Charlot

Chagos Islanders Movement