1. Contributing to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Mauritius at the UN: Nov 2023
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Chagossian Voices is contributing to the UPR of Mauritius and to this end made a presentation to the Pre-session of Mauritius’ UPR at the UN in Geneva in November 2023. This process is important for Chagossians not only because many Chagossians live in Mauritius, but also because Mauritius has ambitions to the sovereignty of the islands, and this will impact the human rights of Chagossians around the world. The main areas addressed in our presentation covered:
- The economic, cultural, structural and informal disadvantages experienced by Chagossians and Mauritian Creoles in Mauritius
- The rights of Chagossians as an indigenous people
- Chagossian rights of self-determination
- Legislation in Mauritius which restricts freedom of speech on matters of sovereignty
- Mauritian government dominance of the Chagossian Welfare Fund
- Transparency and accountability in complaints brought against the police and the government
- Transparency, consent and community involvement in the construction of an airbase on Agalega island