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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}{{Use British English|date=October 2022}}
 
{{Infobox former countrydependency
|name = British Indian Ocean Territory
|life_span = 1965–2024▼
|motto = "[[Lemuria|Limuria is in our trust]]"
|anthem = "[[God Save the King]]"<br><div
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|flag_type = [[Flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory|Flag]]
|image_map = British Indian Ocean Territory in United Kingdom.svg
| image_coat = Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory.svg▼
| symbol_type = Coat of arms<br />(1965–2024)
| symbol_type_article = Emblem of Hong Kong#Colonial arms
| coat_alt = Coat of arms of of the British Indian Ocean Territory from 1965-2024.
|image_seal = Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory.svg
▲|life_spanseal_size = 1965–202485px
|seal_type = Coat of arms
▲|seal_link image_coat = Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory.svg
|official_languages = [[English language|English]]
|ethnic_groups = {{Unbulleted list|95.88% British{{\}}American|4.12% others{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}}}
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|electricity = 230&nbsp;[[Volt]], 50&nbsp;[[Hertz]]
|website = {{URL|https://www.biot.gov.io/|BIOT.gov.io}}
|footnotes = [[Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute|Disputed]] with [[Mauritius]]
}}
 
The '''British Indian Ocean Territory''' ('''BIOT''') wasis an [[British Overseas Territories|Overseas Territory]] of the [[United Kingdom]] situated in the [[Indian Ocean]], halfway between [[Tanzania]] and [[Indonesia]] from 1965-2024. The territory composed ofcomprises the seven [[atoll]]s of the [[Chagos Archipelago]] with over 1,000 individual islands, many very small, amounting to a total land area of {{Convert|60|km2|sqmi|abbr=off}}.<ref name=CIA>{{Cite web|title=British Indian Ocean Territory|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/british-indian-ocean-territory/|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|work=World Factbook|date=27 March 2013|access-date=16 June 2020}}</ref> The largest and most southerly island wasis [[Diego Garcia]], {{Convert|27|km2|sqmi|abbr=off}}, the site of a [[British Forces British Indian Ocean Territories|Joint Military Facility]] of the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[United States]].<ref name=thakkar>{{Cite web|author=Chirayu Thakkar|date=12 Jul 2021|url=https://WarOnTheRocks.com/2021/07/overcoming-the-diego-garcia-stalemate/|title=Overcoming the Diego Garcia stalemate|website=WarOnTheRocks.com}}</ref> Official administration is remote from [[London]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Indian Ocean Territory - GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-indian-ocean-territory |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=www.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=British Indian Ocean Territory |url=https://commonwealthchamber.com/associated-territories/british-indian-ocean-territory/ |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce |language=en-US}}</ref> though the local capital is often regarded as being on Diego Garcia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Indian Ocean Territory Definition & Meaning |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/british-indian-ocean-territory |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=Dictionary.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
The only inhabitants are British and United States [[military]] personnel, and associated [[Private military company|contractor]]s, who collectively number around 3,000 (2018 figures).<ref name=CIA/> The [[expulsion of the Chagossians|forced removal of Chagossians from the Chagos Archipelago]] occurred between 1968 and 1973. The [[Chagossians]], then numbering about 2,000 people, were expelled by the [[Government of the United Kingdom|UK government]] to [[Mauritius]] and [[Seychelles]], even from the outlying islands far away from the military base on Diego Garcia. Today, the Chagossians are still trying to return, but the UK government has repeatedly denied them the [[right of return]] despite calls from numerous human rights organisations to let them.<ref name="BBC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13882233|title=Mauritius profile|year=2011|publisher=[[BBC News]]|access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="chagos">{{Cite web|url=http://www.chagosinternational.org/files/page_detail.php?id1=127&lang=1|title=Historical background – what happened to the Chagos Archipelago?|website=chagosinternational.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208125452/http://www.chagosinternational.org/files/page_detail.php?id1=127&lang=1|archive-date=8 February 2013|access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref> The islands are off-limits to Chagossians, [[tourist]]s, and the media.
 
Since the 1980s, the Government of [[Mauritius]] has [[Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute|sought to regain control]] over the Chagos Archipelago, which was separated from the then [[British Mauritius|Crown Colony of Mauritius]] by the UK in 1965 to form the British Indian Ocean Territory. A February 2019 [[Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965|advisory opinion]] of the [[International Court of Justice]] called for the islands to be given to Mauritius. Afterwards,Since boththis, the [[United Nations General Assembly]] and the [[International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea]] have reached similar decisions. On 3 November 2022, it was announced that the UK and Mauritius had decided to begin negotiations on sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, taking into account the international legal proceedings.<ref Onname=guardian-20221103/> 3However, in OctoberDecember 20242023, it was reported that the UK agreedgovernment was planning to discontinue the talks.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Diver |first=Tony |date=1 December 2023 |title=UK drops plans to hand overChagos theIslands territoryback to Mauritius, though|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/12/01/uk-drop-plan-to-hand-chagos-islands-back-mauritius/ retaining|url-status=live the|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231202134437/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/12/01/uk-drop-plan-to-hand-chagos-islands-back-mauritius/ joint|archive-date=2 USDecember 2023 |access-UKdate=4 militaryDecember base2023 on|work=[[The DiegoDaily Garcia.Telegraph|The Telegraph]]}}</ref>
 
==History==
{{More citations needed|section|date=November 2020}}
 
[[Maldivians|Maldivian]] [[mariner]]s knew the Chagos Islands well.<ref name="xavier">{{Cite book|author=Xavier Romero-Frias|author-link=Xavier Romero-Frias|date=1999|title=The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom|location=Barcelona|publisher=Nova Ethnographia Indica|isbn=84-7254-801-5|chapter=1 ''A Seafaring Nation''|page=19}}</ref> In Maldivian legends, they are known as ''Fōlhavahi'' or ''Hollhavai'' (the latter name in the closer Southern Maldives). According to Southern Maldivian oral tradition, traders and fishermen were occasionally lost at sea and got stranded on one of the islands of the Chagos. Eventually they were rescued and brought back home. TheseHowever, these islands were deemedjudged to be too far away from the seat of the [[Maldives|Maldivian crown]] to be settled permanently by them. Thus, for many centuries the Chagos were ignored by their northern neighbours.
 
===Early settlement===
The islands of [[Chagos Archipelago]] were charted by [[Vasco da Gama]] in the early 16th century, and then claimed in the 18th century by France as a possession of Mauritius. They were first settled in the 18th century by African slaves and Indian contractors brought by Franco-Mauritians to found coconut plantations.<ref name="vine">{{Cite news|last=Vine|first=David|date=17 April 2008|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/JD17Aa01.html|title=Introducing the other Guantanamo|website=atimes.com|publisher=Asia Times|access-date=5 April 2013|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517061458/http://atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/JD17Aa01.html|archive-date=17 May 2008}}</ref> In 1810, Mauritius was captured by the United Kingdom, and France subsequently ceded the territory in the [[Treaty of Paris (1814)|Treaty of Paris]] in 1814.
 
===Formation of BIOT===
In 1965, the United Kingdom split the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius and the islands of [[Aldabra]], [[Farquhar Group|Farquhar]] and [[Desroches]] (Des Roches) from the [[Seychelles]] to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The purpose was to allow the construction of military facilities for the mutual benefit of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The islands were formally established as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom on 8 November 1965.<ref name="Geographer1968">{{Cite book|author=United States Dept. of State. Office of the Geographer|year=1968|title=Commonwealth of Nations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iq1IQ2yDsiYC|access-date=7 November 2013|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|page=15|via=Google Books}}</ref>
 
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During the 1980s,{{Year needed|date=October 2011}} Mauritius asserted a claim to sovereignty for the territory, citing the 1965 separation as illegal under international law, despite their apparent agreement at the time. The UK does not recognise Mauritius' claim, but has agreed to cede the territory to Mauritius when it is no longer required for defence purposes.<ref name=FAC-20080706-p125>{{Cite web|author=Foreign Affairs Committee|author-link=Foreign Affairs Select Committee|date=6 July 2008|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmfaff/147/14708.htm#a39|title=Seventh Report – Overseas Territories|page=125|publisher=[[House of Commons]]|access-date=6 August 2009}}</ref> The Seychelles also made a sovereignty claim on the islands.<ref name=CIA/>{{When|date=October 2011}}
 
The islanders, who now mainly reside in Mauritius and Seychelles, have continually asserted their right to return to Diego Garcia, winning important legal victories in the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] of England and Wales in 2000, 2006, and 2007. In However, in the High Court and Court of Appeal in 2003 and 2004, the islanders' application for further compensation on top of the £14.5&nbsp;million value package of compensation they had already received was dismissed by the court.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2004/997.html|title=Chagos Islanders v Attorney General & Anor <nowiki>[2004]</nowiki> EWCA Civ 997 (22 July 2004)|website=bailii.org|publisher=[[BAILII]]|access-date=27 April 2021}}</ref>
 
On 11 May 2006, the High Court ruled that a 2004 Order in Council preventing the Chagossians' resettlement of the islands was unlawful, and consequently that the Chagossians were entitled to return to the outer islands of the Chagos Archipelago.<ref name="bancoult">{{Cite court|url=http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2006/1038.html|litigants=The Queen on the application of Louis Olivier Bancoult v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs|date=2006reporter=EWHC|opinion=1038 (Admin)|access-date=5 April 2013}}</ref> On 23 May 2007, this was confirmed by the Court of Appeal.<ref name="ssfca">{{Cite court|url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2007/498.html|litigants=Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs v The Queen (on the application of Bancoult)|date=2007|reporter=EWCA|opinion=Civ 498|access-date=5 April 2013}}</ref> In a visit sponsored by the UK Government, the islanders visited Diego Garcia and other islands on 3 April 2006 for humanitarian purposes, including the tending of the graves of their ancestors.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Paul|date=3 April 2006|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4852768.stm|title=Paradise regained – for a few days|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=27 April 2010}}</ref> On 22 October 2008, the UK Government won an [[R (Bancoult) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (No 2)|appeal to the House of Lords]] regarding the [[royal prerogative]] used to continue excluding the Chagossians from their homeland.<ref name="afp">{{Cite news|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hdjVkpT6_bzQxOkAQiXHQRIerOtw|title=Britain wins appeal over Chagos islanders' return home|agency=[[Agence France-Press]]|date=22 October 2008|access-date=5 April 2013|archive-date=29 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529024235/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hdjVkpT6_bzQxOkAQiXHQRIerOtw|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="lords">{{Cite court|url=http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/uk/cases/UKHL/2008/61.htm|litigants=R (on the application of Bancoult) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs|date=2008|reporter=UKHL|opinion=61|access-date=5 April 2013}}</ref>
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The UK Government established a marine reserve in April 2010, to mixed reactions from Chagossians. While the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office claimed that it was an environmental move as well as a necessary move to improve the coral populations off east Africa, and therefore sub-Saharan marine supplies, some Chagossians claimed that the reserve would prevent any resettlement due to the inability to fish in protected areas. The Chagossian UK-based Diego Garcian Society stated that it welcomed the marine reserve, noting that it was in the interest of Chagossians to have the area protected while they were exiled and that it could be renegotiated upon resettlement. The Foreign Office claimed the reserve was made "without prejudice to the outcome of proceedings before the [[European Court of Human Rights]]".<ref name="Reserve">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8599125.stm|title=UK sets up Chagos Islands marine reserve|work=[[BBC News]]|date=1 April 2010|access-date=25 November 2011}}</ref> (That court's 2012 decision was not in favour of the Islanders anyway.)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/fre?i=001-115714|title=Chagos Islanders against the United Kingdom: Decision.|publisher=[[European Court of Human Rights]]|date=11 December 2012}}</ref>
 
===Development of BIOT===
[[File:Diegogarcia.jpg|thumb|250px|View of [[Diego Garcia]], showing military base.|alt=]]
Work on the [[military]] base commenced in 1971, with a large [[airbase]] with several long range [[runway]]s constructed, as well as a harbour suitable for large naval vessels. Although classed as a joint UK/US base, in practice it is primarily staffed by the US military, although the UK maintains a garrison at all times, and [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) long-range patrol aircraft are deployed there. The [[United States Air Force]] (USAF) used the base during the 1991 [[Gulf War]] and the 2001 [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]], as well as the 2003 [[2003 invasion of Iraq|Iraq War]].
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===International opinion and rulings===
The formerly obscure sovereignty dispute gained more international recognition as Mauritius obtained the support of other African countries. [[Brexit]] deprived the United Kingdom of support from European allies.<ref name="BBCHarding2024"/> On 22 JuneMay 20172019, the [[United Nations General Assembly]] (UNGA) votedadopted toa referresolution, theaffirming issue tothat "the [[InternationalChagos CourtArchipelago offorms Justice]]an (ICJ)integral bypart 94of tothe 15. There were 65 abstentions, including UK allies such as Canada, France, and Germany.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://press.un.org/en/2017/ga11924.doc.htm |title=General Assembly Adopts Resolution Seeking International Court’s Advisory Opinion on Pre-independence Separationterritory of Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius |publisher=United Nations |date=22 June 2017 |access-date=3 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="AMTIPant2019>{{cite, webciting |url=https://amti.csis.org/a-ruling-from-the-hague/ |title=A Landmark Ruling on the Chagos Islands |author=Harsh Pant |publisher=Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=3 October 2024}}</ref> In February 2019, the ICJ issued an [[Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965|advisory opinion]] byof 13the votes[[International toCourt 1of Justice]] (ICJ) on the separation of the archipelago from Mauritius.<ref name="AMTIPant2019UN2019"/> In its advisory opinion, the Court concluded that "the process of decolonisation of Mauritius was not lawfully completed when that country acceded to independence", and that "the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Advisory Opinion: Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965|url=https://www.icj-cij.org/public/files/case-related/169/169-20190225-01-00-EN.pdf|publisher=[[International Court of Justice]]|date=25 February 2019|access-date=18 October 2022}}</ref> On 22 May 2019, the UNGA adopted a resolution citing the ICJ advisory opinion, affirming that "the Chagos Archipelago forms an integral part of the territory of Mauritius".<ref name="UN2019"/> The motion was approved by a majority vote with 116 member states voting for and 6 against.<ref name="UN2019">{{Cite web|title=General Assembly welcomes International Court of Justice opinion on Chagos Archipelago, adopts text calling for Mauritius' complete decolonisation|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/ga12146.doc.htm|access-date=31 July 2020|website=www.un.org}}</ref> On 28 January 2021, the United Nation's [[International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea]] ruled, in a dispute between Mauritius and Maldives on their maritime boundary, that the United Kingdom has no sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, and that Mauritius is sovereign there. The United Kingdom disputes and does not recognise the tribunal's decision.<ref name=bbc-20210128>{{Cite news|last=Harding|first=Andrew|date=28 January 2021|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55848126|title=UN court rules UK has no sovereignty over Chagos islands|work=BBC News|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref><ref name=InternationalTribunalfortheLawoftheSea-20210128>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/press_releases_english/PR_313_EN.pdf|title=Dispute concerning delimitation of the Maritime Boundary between Mauritius and Maldives in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius/Maldives)|id=ITLOS/Press 313|publisher=[[International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea]]|date=28 January 2021|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>
 
On 28 January 2021, the United Nation's [[International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea]] ruled, in a dispute between Mauritius and Maldives on their maritime boundary, that the United Kingdom has no sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, and that Mauritius is sovereign there. The United Kingdom disputes and does not recognise the tribunal's decision.<ref name=bbc-20210128>{{Cite news|last=Harding|first=Andrew|date=28 January 2021|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55848126|title=UN court rules UK has no sovereignty over Chagos islands|work=BBC News|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref><ref name=InternationalTribunalfortheLawoftheSea-20210128>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/press_releases_english/PR_313_EN.pdf|title=Dispute concerning delimitation of the Maritime Boundary between Mauritius and Maldives in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius/Maldives)|id=ITLOS/Press 313|publisher=[[International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea]]|date=28 January 2021|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref> The [[Universal Postal Union]] (UPU), which has jurisdiction over international mail among treaty signatory states, voted in 2021 to ban the use of British postage stamps on mail to and from BIOT, instead requiring Mauritian stamps to be used.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58321580|title=British stamps banned from Chagos Islands in Indian Ocean|work=[[BBC News]]|date=25 August 2021}}</ref>
 
On 3 November 2022, the British Foreign Secretary [[James Cleverly]] announced that the UK and Mauritius had decided to begin negotiations on sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, taking into account international legal proceedings. Both states had agreed to ensure the continued operation of the joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia.<ref name=guardian-20221103>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/03/uk-agrees-to-negotiate-with-mauritius-over-handover-of-chagos-islands |title=UK agrees to negotiate with Mauritius over handover of Chagos Islands |last=Wintour |first=Patrick |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 November 2022 |access-date=3 November 2022}}</ref><ref name=hansard-20221103>{{cite web |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-11-03/debates/22110340000007/ChagosArchipelago |title=Chagos Archipelago |last=Cleverly |first=James |publisher=UK Parliament |work=Hansard |id=HCWS354 |date=3 November 2022 |access-date=3 November 2022}}</ref> The [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]] has argued this change of approach is in part due to a strategic shift in US and UK foreign policy towards Asia in response to China growing power and influence, as disputes with former colonies encourage their deepening relationship with China.<ref name=hocl-20221122>{{cite web |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9673/CBP-9673.pdf |title=British Indian Ocean Territory: UK to negotiate sovereignty 2022/23 |last=Loft |first=Philip |publisher=UK Parliament |work=House of Commons Library |pages=22–23 |date=22 November 2022 |access-date=26 September 2023}}</ref>
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===2022 Chagossian-Mauritian expedition===
In February 2022, exiled islanders made their first unsupervised visit to an island in the Chagos Archipelago.<ref name=observer-20220213>{{Cite news|last1=Bowcott|first1=Owen|last2=Rinvolucri|first2=Bruno|date=13 February 2022|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/12/exiled-chagos-islanders-return-uk-disputed-archipelago-mauritius|title=Exiled Chagos Islanders bask in return 'as pilgrims to abandoned place'|newspaper=[[The Observer]]|access-date=13 February 2022}}</ref> The Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the United Nations, [[Jagdish Koonjul]], raised the Mauritian flag on [[Peros Banhos]].<ref name=guardian-20220214>{{Cite news|last1=Bowcott|first1=Owen|last2=Rinvolucri|first2=Bruno|date=14 February 2022|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/14/mauritius-formally-challenges-britains-ownership-of-chagos-islands|title=Mauritius formally challenges Britain's ownership of Chagos Islands|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=times-20220214>{{Cite news|last=Flanagan|first=Jane|date=14 February 2022|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mauritius-plants-flag-on-disputed-chagos-islands-xpzprm8jq|title=Mauritius plants flag on disputed Chagos islands|newspaper=The Times|location=London|url-access=subscription|access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref> The main purpose of the fifteen-day Mauritian expedition is to survey the unclaimed [[Blenheim Reef]], to discover for a forthcoming [[International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea]] hearing if it is exposed at high tide so is claimable.<ref name=guardian-20220213>{{Cite news|last1=Bowcott|first1=Owen|last2=Rinvolucri|first2=Bruno|date=13 February 2022|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/13/mauritius-measures-reef-hoping-to-lay-claim-on-chagos-islands|title=Mauritius measures reef hoping to lay claim on Chagos Islands|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=maritime-executive-20220213>{{Cite news|last1=Brewster|first1=David|last2=Bashfield|first2=Samuel|date=13 February 2022|url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/an-unclaimed-reef-adds-a-wrinkle-to-the-dispute-over-diego-garcia|title=An unclaimed reef adds a wrinkle to the dispute over Diego Garcia|publisher=The Maritime Executive|work=The Lowy Interpreter|access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref> The chartered ''[[IMO 7813913|Bleu De Nîmes]]'' was shadowed by a British fisheries protection vessel.<ref name=guardian-20220220>{{Cite news|last1=Bowcott|first1=Owen|last2=Rinvolucri|first2=Bruno|date=20 February 2022|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/20/chagossian-exiles-celebrate-emotional-return-as-uk-tries-to-justify-control|title=Chagossian exiles celebrate emotional return as UK tries to justify control|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=20 February 2022}}</ref>
 
===Further negotiations===
On 3 November 2022, it was announced that the UK and Mauritius had decided to begin negotiations on sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, taking into account the international legal proceedings.<ref name=guardian-20221103/> In December 2023, it was reported that the UK government was planning to discontinue the talks.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Diver |first=Tony |date=1 December 2023 |title=UK drops plans to hand Chagos Islands back to Mauritius |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/12/01/uk-drop-plan-to-hand-chagos-islands-back-mauritius/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231202134437/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/12/01/uk-drop-plan-to-hand-chagos-islands-back-mauritius/ |archive-date=2 December 2023 |access-date=4 December 2023 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]}}</ref>
 
On 3 October 2024 it was jointly announced by UK prime minister [[Keir Starmer]] and Mauritian prime minister [[Pravind Jugnauth]] that an agreement had been reached under which the UK would cede sovereignty over the territory, but the military base would remain in place.<ref name="BBCHarding2024">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98ynejg4l5o |title=UK will give sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius |author=Andrew Harding |work=BBC News |date=3 October 2024 |access-date=3 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UK-Mauritius deal to protect national security – safeguarding the operation of strategic military base |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-mauritius-deal-to-protect-national-security-safeguarding-the-operation-of-strategic-military-base |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>
 
==Government==
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===Conservation===
[[File:Salomons Atoll in the Chagos.jpg|thumb|Salomons Atoll|alt=]]
On 1 April 2010, the [[Chagos Marine Protected Area]] (MPA) was declared to cover the waters around the Chagos Archipelago. However, Mauritius objected, stating this was contrary to its legal rights, and on 18 March 2015, the [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] ruled that the MPA was illegal under the [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]], as Mauritius had legally binding rights to fish in the waters surrounding the archipelago, to an eventual return of the archipelago, and to the preservation of any minerals or oil discovered in or near the archipelago prior to its return.<ref name=guardian-20150319>{{Cite news|last1=Bowcott|first1=Owen|last2=Jones|first2=Sam|date=19 March 2015|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/19/un-ruling-raises-hope-of-return-for-exiled-chagos-islanders|title=UN ruling raises hope of return for exiled Chagos islanders|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=29 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=cga-pressrelease>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pca-cpa.org/showfile.asp?fil_id=2901|title=Chagos Marine Protected Area arbitration (Mauritius v. United Kingdom) (Press Release and Summary of Award)|publisher=[[Permanent Court of Arbitration]]|date=19 March 2015|access-date=29 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402064110/http://www.pca-cpa.org/showfile.asp?fil_id=2901|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>
 
The MPA's declaration doubled the total area of environmental no-take zones worldwide. The benefits of protecting this area are described as follows:
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Further small boats with Tamil refugees that ran into difficulties were escorted to Diego Garcia, where repairs were made, and they were permitted to leave. One boat carrying 46 people went on to the French territory of [[Réunion]].<ref name=guardian-20221016>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/16/diego-garcia-uk-accused-tamil-refugees-at-risk-indian-ocean |title=UK accused of putting Tamil refugees at risk in Indian Ocean |last=Siddique |first=Haroon |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 October 2022 |access-date=1 November 2022}}</ref><ref name=infomigrants-20221019>{{cite news |url=http://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/44098/uk-plans-to-deport-tamil-refugees-on-british-territory-in-rwandastyle-plan |title=UK plans to deport Tamil refugees on British territory in Rwanda-style plan |last=Mellersh |first=Natasha |website=InfoMigrants |date=19 October 2022 |access-date=1 November 2022}}</ref>
 
The BIOT commissioner ruled that the group that had arrived in October 2021 could be lawfully returned to [[Sri Lanka]]. TenHowever ten group members challenged this decision in the BIOT Supreme Court, on the basis that the decision-making process was flawed, and were granted a [[judicial review]] that was due to be heard in September 2023. ShortlyHowever just before the judicial review hearing, lawyers representing the commissioner withdrew all the decisions, and the commissioner agreed to reassess each protection claim using reviewers not previously involved in the cases. The solicitor for eight of the group said: "Our clients are relieved that the BIOT commissioner has finally agreed to withdraw the unlawful decisions to forcibly return them to Sri Lanka where they face risk of torture and persecution."<ref name=guardian-20230925>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/25/tamil-refugees-diego-garcia-win-fight-against-forcible-return-sri-lanka |title=Tamil refugees on Diego Garcia win fight against forcible return to Sri Lanka |last=Taylor |first=Diane |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 September 2023 |access-date=25 September 2023}}</ref><ref name=biotsc-20230925>{{cite web |url=https://www.matrixlaw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/BIOT-SC-No1-2023_.pdf |title=The King v The Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory - Consent Order |id=BIOT/SC/No.l/2023 and BIOT/SC/No.2/2023 |publisher=Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory |date=25 September 2023 |access-date=27 September 2023}}</ref>
 
The asylum seekers live in tents in a fenced camp of approximately 100m by 140m, which they cannot leave without a security escort. "Most of the children have never left the camp other than infrequent visits to the beach under security escort" a report by a UN agency says. There have been reports of sexual assault (by other asylum seekers), self-harm and suicide attempts. As of February 2024, there are 61 people in the camp.<ref>{{cite web |title=Diego Garcia: The tropical island 'hell'‘hell’ for dozens of stranded migrants |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65777863 |website=BBC |access-date=19 February 2024 |date=11 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Diego Garcia asylum seekers feel unsafe on remote British island territory |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-68326365 |website=BBC |access-date=19 February 2024 |date=18 February 2024}}</ref>
 
==Economy==
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===Services===
The [https://www.navymwrdiegogarcia.com/ Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)] section provides several facilities on Diego Garcia, including a library, outdoor cinema, shops, and sports centres, with prices in [[US dollar]]s. The [http://www.biotpostoffice.com/about-1.asp BIOT Post Office] provides outbound postal services, and postage stamps have been issued for the territory since 17 January 1968. As the territory was originally part of Mauritius and the Seychelles, these stamps were denominated in [[Seychellois rupee|rupees]] until 1992. However, after whichthat date they were issued in denominations of [[poundPound sterling]], thewhich territory'sis the official currency of the territory. Basic medical services are provided, with the option of [[medical evacuation]] where required, and the territory has no schools.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Feasibility study for the resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory, Volume 1|url=http://qna.files.parliament.uk/ws-attachments/178757/original/Feasibility%20study%20for%20the%20resettlement%20of%20the%20British%20Indian%20Ocean%20Territory%20Volume%201.pdf|website=Parliament.uk|publisher=KPMG|access-date=18 June 2020|date=31 January 2015}}</ref>
 
===Telecommunications===
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===Broadcasting===
The territory has three FM radio broadcast stations; provided by the [[American Forces Network]] (AFN) and [[British Forces Broadcasting Service]] (BFBS). [[Amateur radio]] operations occur from Diego Garcia, using the British callsign [[ITU prefix - amateur and experimental stations|prefix]] VQ9. An amateur club station, VQ9X, was sponsored by the US Navy for use by operators both licensed in their home country and possessing a VQ9 callsign issued by the local British Indian Ocean Territory representative.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Arneson, Larry (VQ9LA)|title=VQ9X Club Station|url=http://www.qsl.net/vq9la/2.htm|work=QSL.NET|access-date=20 September 2013}}</ref> The navyHowever, the US Navy closed the station in early 2013, and any future licensed amateurs wishing to operate from the island would therefore have had to provide their own antenna and radio equipment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=(Post of) May 24, 2013|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=653189054707236&id=148071511885662|work=Official VQ9X Facebook page|access-date=20 September 2013|author=Arneson, Larry (VQ9LA)}}</ref>
 
===.io domain name===
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