EMRIP 2026, Palais des Nations Geneva

Richard Ally and Jemmy Simon represented Chagossian Voices at the 19th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) which took place at the UN (Palais des Nations) in Geneva between 13th and 17th July 2026.

The highlight of our visit was our opportunity to provide an hour long side event on Tuesday 14th July, where we able to present the views and feelings of community members through video, testimony and analysis of historical and current developments.

The event presented the community’s history of exile, marginalisation and resilience, and the continuing exclusion of Chagossians from decisions affecting their future and their homeland.

We expressed serious concerns about the UK–Mauritius Chagos Agreement, arguing that it:

• Excludes Chagossians from decisions about their future.
• Fails to guarantee the right of return, particularly to Diego Garcia.
• Provides no adequate reparations.
• Gives Mauritius sole control over resettlement and the £40 million support fund.
• Provides substantial financial benefits to Mauritius while offering limited support to Chagossians.
• Fails to represent the global Chagossian diaspora adequately.

With more than half of all Chagossians living outside Mauritius, CV rejected attempts to describe the community simply as “Mauritians of Chagossian origin”, stressing that Chagossians are a distinct people with their own identity.

Throughout EMRIP, Chagossian Voices also reaffirmed that the Chagossian people identify as an Indigenous people. During our side event, we presented historical, cultural and lived evidence demonstrating our distinct identity, our historical continuity and our enduring connection to the Chagos Archipelago. We believe that the Chagossian people have the right to define their own identity and to have that identity respected.CV called for recognition of the Chagossians’ rights to return, self-determination, reparations, development, and to preserve and strengthen their culture and way of life.

During EMRIP, CV also contributed to thematic discussions on indigenous rights affecting communities worldwide, emphasising that it advocates solely for the interests of Chagossians, not those of either nation state.

EMRIP provided an important opportunity for Chagossian Voices to engage directly with Indigenous representatives, United Nations experts, academics and Member States from around the world, ensuring that the Chagossian voice continues to be heard at the highest international level.

Nothing concerning the Chagossian people should ever be decided without the Chagossian people.