Descendants of people born in the Chagos Islands will have a new route to British nationality, the government has announced.
Direct descendants of Chagossians who were born on the islands that now form part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, and who are not already Britishoverseas territory citizens (BOTCs) or British citizens, will be able to apply for both forms of British nationality, the Home Office said.
The change comes in a proposed amendment to the nationality and borders bill that the government has accepted.
The international court of justice (ICJ) found Britain unlawfully separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius before granting independence in 1968. The UK is defying United Nations votes and court judgments demanding the return of the islands, stressing that the ICJ ruling was only an “advisory opinion”.
The new provision will give descendants of native-born Chagossians the right to apply to register as BOTCs and British citizens, free of charge, within five years of commencement, or if under 18 at commencement or born within five years of that date, before the age of 23.
The provision gives nationality “otherwise than by descent”, meaning those who qualify to be registered under it would also be able to pass it on to their children born abroad – but no further – after the five-year window had passed.
The immigration minister, Kevin Foster, said: “The government has listened to the experiences and concerns of the Chagossian community and carefully considered their unique situation.
“We are pleased to be able to offer descendants of native-born Chagos Islanders a new route to British citizenship free of charge.
“The new provision will mean Chagossians can register as both British overseas territory citizens and British citizens within five years of the route launching.”
Further details are to be announced by the government in due course.
The Home Office previously announced a £40m support package to Chagossians over a 10-year period, targeted at five areas: education, health, employment, social care and cultural conservation.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office minister Amanda Milling said: “This amendment is a hugely positive development for the Chagossian community in the UK, Mauritius and Seychelles, on which the FCDO has been fully engaged and supportive.
“By opening the door to full British citizenship, we are addressing a central concern of Chagossians around citizenship and national identity. The UK will continue to work to address other needs through our Chagossian support package.”
