BBC Reporter Explores Secretive Diego Garcia Territory
- Diego Garcia is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, part of the Chagos Archipelago, which was separated from Mauritius by the UK in 1965.
- The UK government forcibly evicted the local population to establish a US military base, leading to ongoing legal disputes regarding the rights of the Chagossians.
- The situation highlights issues of colonialism, human rights violations, and the complexities of military operations in a British territory.
Diego Garcia, a remote island in the Indian Ocean, is part of the Chagos Archipelago and has been under British control since 1965. The UK evicted over 1,000 residents to establish a military base, which is primarily operated by the US. Access to the island is heavily restricted, requiring permits that are typically granted only to military personnel or those connected to British authorities. Legal battles continue regarding the rights of the Chagossians, who have been denied the ability to return to their homeland. The UK government maintains its sovereignty over the islands, despite ongoing disputes and allegations of human rights violations related to the forced eviction of the local population. The island has also been implicated in controversial activities, including the landing of rendition flights carrying terror suspects, raising further ethical concerns about its military use.