Dozens of migrants residing in “abhorrent” circumstances on the Chagos Islands could now be provided the possibility to be transferred to the UK following authorized motion.
Some 61 Tamil Sri Lankan asylum seekers, together with 16 kids, have been residing on Diego Garcia – the most important of the islands within the Indian Ocean – since October 2021 after being rescued at sea by Royal Navy personnel.
In March, a few of the migrants introduced authorized motion towards the Overseas Workplace, claiming there had been an “unlawful delay” in arranging their relocation to a secure third nation.
The Excessive Court docket in London was beforehand instructed that they’d confronted “inhumane” circumstances on the island, together with overcrowding and rat infestations.
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Map: OpenStreetMap
In a letter on Monday, legal professionals for the Overseas Workplace and the Residence Workplace stated there was a “proposed change in policy” to permit households, kids, and unaccompanied males who shouldn’t have felony convictions or excellent investigations the chance to switch on to the UK.
“… It is expected that a decision on offering entry to the UK in this way will be reached in the next 48 hours, upon which we will provide a further update,” the letter added.
Legislation agency Leigh Day stated the migrants had been residing “in tents on a fenced and guarded compound, conditions so abhorrent that there have been recurring attempts at suicide and self-harm”.
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Diego Garcia, the most important island within the Chagos archipelago. Pic: Reuters
The Chagos Archipelago is a part of the British Indian Island Territory (BIOT).
BIOT commissioner Paul Candler referred to as circumstances within the camp “dangerous and unsustainable” and youngsters specifically have been affected by “immediate and ongoing harm”, Leigh Day stated.
One of many commissioner’s medical staff on the island described the camp as “in complete crisis”, the authorized agency added.
Leigh Day solicitor Tom Brief stated: “Our clients, including 16 children, welcome the home secretary’s belated decision to offer them safety in the UK.
“Our purchasers fled Sri Lanka searching for refuge from persecution. The remedy and illegal detention they’ve endured by the hands of the British Indian Ocean Territory Administration for the previous three years is disgraceful.
“Today’s decision is an enormous relief to our clients and we urge the home secretary to close the camp and bring our clients here without any further delay so that they can begin their recovery.”
It was introduced final month that the UK had agreed handy over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Requested about Diego Garcia on Monday, the prime minister’s official spokesman referred to as it a “deeply troubling situation”, saying it was by no means “a suitable long-term location” and discussions have been ongoing.
