1783
First inhabitants arrive in Chagos Archipelago as enslaved Africans. After emancipation, indentured Indians arrive helping to form a new, unique society and a people first known as the Ilwa. Continue reading
1960
U.S. Navy approaches Britain about building a base on Diego Garcia. Secret negotiations begin. Continue reading
1964
During secret U.S./U.K. talks, U.S. indicates desire for “exclusive control” of Diego Garcia “without local inhabitants.” U.K. officials agree. Continue reading
1966
Exchange of Notes gives U.S. access to Diego Garcia for 50 years with automatic 20-year renewal. U.K. secretly agrees to remove Chagossians for $14 million hidden from Congress, Parliament. Continue reading
1968
Chagossians in Mauritius for vacations or medical treatment barred from returning home and stranded in Mauritius. Britain limits supplies of food, medicines to help depopulate the islands. Continue reading
1970
Navy tells Congress the islands have no permanent population as part of a U.K./U.S. plan to “maintain the fiction” that Chagossians are transient workers and not indigenous to the islands. Continue reading
1971
Construction begins on Diego Garcia. British agents and U.S. Navy personnel gas and burn Chagossians’ pet dogs. Chagossians on Diego Garcia deported to Mauritius and Seychelles. Continue reading
1973
Last Chagossians deported from other Chagos islands to Mauritius. Continue reading
1975
Washington Post breaks the story in Western press, describes Chagossians living in “abject poverty” in Mauritius. One day of Congressional hearings held before interest fades. Continue reading
1982
Chagossians hold hunger strikes, protests, and U.K. agrees to £4 million compensation. Chagossians receive about $6,000/recipient. U.S. spends hundreds of millions to expand Diego Garcia base. Continue reading
2000
After Chagossians sue for right of return, U.K. High Court rules for expulsion was illegal. Continue reading
2004
After allowing a return following 2000 ruling, U.K. Government issues Queen’s “Orders in Council” decreeing Chagossians barred from returning, effectively overturning 2000 victory. Continue reading
2008
After two more High Court rulings find the exile unlawful, U.K.’s highest court overturns Chagossians’ lower court victories, upholding the exile and colonial law. Continue reading
2010
U.K. creates Chagos Marine Protected Area (MPA) with exemption for Diego Garcia base. Wikileaks cable shows U.K., U.S. officials agreed MPA was best way to prevent Chagossians from going home. Continue reading
2015
U.K. releases study confirming the feasibility of Chagossians resettling Chagos. UN Permanent Court of Arbitration rules U.K. acted illegally in creating an MPA. Continue reading
2016
UK responds, again denying a return, but offering £40 million in assistance projects over 10. CRG refuses the compensation and the attempt to get them to drop their demand to go home. Continue reading
2017
CRG supports the Mauritian Government at the UN, where General Assembly votes 94-16 to have the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rule on Mauritius’s challenge to UK sovereignty over Chagos. Continue reading
2018
ICJ set to hear Mauritius-UK case. Three Chagossian suits proceed, challenging 1) UK denying resettlement; 2) the MPA; and 3) the exclusion of Chagossians in Seychelles from compensation. Continue reading