Chagossians Win Right to Return to Outer Islands

0:00It's March 31st. This is Global News Today, AI-powered stories shaping the world. I'm Cory with the story. A big win for the Chegashians this week. A court in the British Indian Ocean Territory just overturned a ban on living on the outer Chegoss Islands. It all kicked off in February when nine folks, including four Chegashians, landed on the uninhabited Ildu coin, about 135. A kilometer south of Diego Garcia. Officials ordered them out, but the court ruled the 2004. Law blocking their right to stay was unlawful and throughout the eviction. This comes right as the UK plans to hand sovereignty of the whole Indian Ocean chain to Mauritius, while leasing back the key UK U.S. base on Diego. Garcia, for 99 years. The judge said the deal wipes out any old excuses about security or funding for keeping people off those outer islands. Chegashians have long fought for access after being removed decades ago. The group said they just wanted to visit graves temporarily, though they set up a camp.

1:03Now this ruling opens the door for them to return and live there. The commissioner is not backing down and has appealed the decision with the foreign office saying they disagree. Meanwhile, conservatives are slamming Prime Minister Kierstharmer, calling the Mauritius handover of a trail that ignores Chegassian wishes. Even former U.S. President Donald Trump called the deal stupid back in February. As appeals play out, this could reshape who controls and lives on these remote islands for good.