Judge Temporarily Blocks Deportation of Four Chagossians From Atoll

A court order has temporarily stopped the removal of four Chagossians from a remote atoll in the Chagos Archipelago after British authorities issued removal orders against them.

The four men arrived on the atoll on Monday, sailing from Sri Lanka, and stated their intention to create a permanent settlement on the territory. British officials responded by serving them with eviction papers and removal orders, warning that non-compliance could result in up to three years in prison or a fine of £3,000.

Following the issuance of these orders, the group applied for legal protection from deportation. The Chief Justice of the British Indian Ocean Territory granted an injunction, pausing any removal actions for a minimum of seven days while the case is reviewed.

In the court's decision, the judge found that British authorities had either delayed or failed to issue permits that would allow the men to visit the territory. The judge also questioned whether the removal orders had been lawfully issued under the current circumstances.

What the numbers show

• Four individuals landed on the atoll in the Chagos Archipelago
• The atoll is approximately 120 miles from Diego Garcia
• The court injunction pauses deportation for at least seven days

The judge stated that the balance of convenience favored the four men, noting that they were located 120 miles from Diego Garcia and did not present a security risk to the territory. This assessment contributed to the decision to grant the temporary injunction against deportation.

Before the injunction was issued, British authorities had already served the men with eviction papers in addition to the removal orders. The legal process now provides the group with a temporary reprieve as the court examines the details of their case.

The situation remains under judicial consideration, with the injunction ensuring that no deportation actions will be taken for at least the next week. The outcome of the ongoing legal review will determine any further steps regarding the four Chagossians' presence on the atoll.

The case highlights the ongoing legal and administrative processes surrounding access and settlement rights in the Chagos Archipelago, with the current court order providing a temporary halt to enforcement actions by British authorities.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.