US Halts British Court Hearing on Diego Garcia Over Security Concerns

The US government has obstructed a British court hearing from occurring in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), citing security concerns. The BIOT Supreme Court was scheduled to hear a case regarding the alleged unlawful detention of migrants on Diego Garcia, a heavily restricted island hosting a UK-US military base.

Key Points:

• Hearing Blocked: The US withdrew consent for lawyers representing the migrants to travel to Diego Garcia and announced it would not provide transport, accommodation, or food for hearing attendees until security concerns were resolved. This decision came late Thursday, just hours before the journey from the UK was set to begin.
• UK-Based Hearing: Due to the US intervention, a hearing is now being held in the UK to determine the next steps.
• Historical Background: The Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, were separated from Mauritius by the UK in 1965 to create the BIOT. Over 1,000 residents were evicted to establish the military base. Agreements signed in 1966 allowed US use of the territory for an initial 50 years, extended by 20 years, now set to expire in 2036.
• Legal Dispute: Mauritius, which gained independence from the UK in 1968, claims the islands as its own. The United Nations’ highest court has ruled that the UK’s administration of the territory is “unlawful” and should end.
• US Control: The US controls most personnel, resources, accommodation, and transport on Diego Garcia. The US military commander has the authority to deny access to areas under US military operation for security reasons.
• Security Concerns: The specific nature of the US security concerns is unclear, but they are believed to be related to a planned “site visit” during the hearing, which would have included the migrant camp and other island areas.

The BIOT official website states that access to the islands is restricted to individuals connected to the military facility or the Territory’s Administration, underscoring the area’s sensitivity and restricted nature.