Chagos sovereignty: former diplomat Vijay Makhan on the implementation of international law
via Le Mauricien3 min read
Former diplomat Vijay Makhan stated in a question-and-answer correspondence to Le Mauricien that the United Kingdom has recognized Mauritius's sovereign right over the Chagos Archipelago and must now implement it. He emphasized that the issue is no longer about sovereignty but about the credibility of international law. Legally, the situation has not changed, but politically it has evolved. The International Court of Justice established that Mauritius's decolonization was not legally completed, a position endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly and recognized by the United Kingdom in an agreement signed on May 22, 2025, with Mauritius. Therefore, sovereignty is no longer debated; the focus is now on its implementation. Makhan noted that if reports of the UK pausing the Diego Garcia bill are true, it would signify a concerning political retreat rather than a procedural delay. He argued that suspending the legislative framework for implementation would create a profound disconnect between international commitment and internal action, raising questions about fundamental coherence. He stressed that renegotiating the agreement is not an option, as Mauritius achieved this recognition through a lengthy legal and diplomatic process. Makhan also acknowledged that actions by certain Chagossian groups complicate the situation, emphasizing that their legitimate cause should not be instrumentalized for political ends. He expressed concern that geopolitical repositioning could occu
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Must ReadLALIT is calling on the Mauritian government, specifically Prime Minister Ramgoolam and Attorney General Glover, to be wary of being deceived by the United Kingdom regarding the Chagos Archipelago. The UK's military occupation of Chagos and Diego Garcia has been declared unlawful, and LALIT argues that Mauritius should not continue bilateral negotiations with an occupying power. LALIT suggests that the Mauritian government's current approach, which involves merely requesting a roadmap for the UK's ratification of the Chagos Archipelago Agreement, is insufficient. They highlight a veiled threat from Mauritius that its stance could be reviewed by September 2026, possibly referring to the UN General Assembly meeting, but LALIT believes this is too late given the UK's scheduling of a meeting after this date. LALIT urges the government to act before the August 9 deadline for submitting items to the UN General Assembly. LALIT proposes several actions: suspending Mauritius's signature to the bilateral agreement due to the UK's non-signature, lack of parliamentary vote, and the ineffectiveness of bilateral agreements in achieving decolonization; preparing a supplementary International Court of Justice case for guidance; preparing cases in international courts for reparations for 57 years of illegal occupation and for the forcibly removed Chagossians; organizing a formal government and opposition visit to the Chagos islands with Chagossian representatives and journalists; amending the
Maydon Fashion Ltd, a textile company founded in 1987 and based in Coromandel, Mauritius, has been placed under receivership. The company, which had been operating for nearly forty years and employed local workers in the garment sector, was one of the last Hong Kong-origin textile firms still established in Mauritius. This development follows a judicial setback for Maydon Fashion Ltd some years ago, when Judges Asraf Caunhye and Gérard Angoh rejected its appeal in a dismissal case. The company had challenged an Industrial Court decision that found two former employees were unfairly dismissed. The Supreme Court upheld the initial judgment, compelling Maydon Fashion Ltd to pay the two ex-employees punitive damages and compensation for their notice period. The receivership of Maydon Fashion Ltd occurs amidst a challenging period for the Mauritian textile sector, which has faced increased international competition, rising production costs, and persistent economic difficulties for several years.
Social Security Minister Ashok Subron stated that the Domestic Abuse Bill is fundamental to society and communal living, aiming to protect the family unit. He questioned how society can combat domestic violence when it originated from systems of violence and abuse, citing slavery, indentured labor, colonialism, and capitalism. Subron described the bill as not ordinary, but part of a historical and collective process to heal psychological and social wounds from past and current violence. He honored women who fought for this cause, including Anna de Bengale, activists, factory workers, and students. The Minister noted that the bill, which was to be adopted, reflects the contributions of many individuals, organizations, and movements. He highlighted that the Domestic Abuse Bill marks a significant evolution in how Mauritius legally addresses domestic violence. The 1997 legislative framework focused on immediate protection against physical violence and protection orders. The new legislation adopts a modern, survivor-centered approach, moving beyond reactive responses to physical assaults to include non-physical and structural forms of abuse. Subron emphasized that the most significant change is in the terminology, shifting from "domestic violence," which prioritized physical acts, to "domestic abuse," recognizing that destructive forms of domination may leave no physical trace. The bill also expands the understanding of domestic violence beyond isolated incidents to explicitly in