• About US
  • Our Work
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
  • Login
JFJ - Journalists for Justice
  • Home
  • Communities of Justice
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Human Rights
  • Elections
  • About US
  • Our Work
  • Careers
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Communities of Justice
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Human Rights
  • Elections
  • About US
  • Our Work
  • Careers
No Result
View All Result
JFJ - Journalists for Justice
No Result
View All Result

ICJ: Africa has not been lawfully decolonized yet

byThomas Verfuss
February 15, 2023
in Africa Cases, ICC Cases, Opinion
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A

Judges at the world’s highest court have spoken: Africa’s decolonization has not been lawfully completed. The British illegally detached the Chagos Islands from Mauritius before the colony was granted independence in 1968. The government in London is obliged to give the archipelago back to Mauritius, of which it had been a part since at least 1814. All UN member states are obliged to cooperate, the International Court of Justice said on Monday. Read: also the US, who have a big military base on Diego Garcia, the biggest of the Chagos Islands.

When the British pledged the islands to the Americans for military use in the 1960s, the population was “forcibly removed”, the highest UN judges in the Hague Peace Palace said on Monday, echoing language used in international criminal jurisdictions.

The indigenous inhabitants were deported under threat, forced to leave their homes and much of their personal belongings behind. They were abandoned on other islands in the Indian Ocean region, with no compensation, no new housing or jobs provided. For decades, the deported Chagossians have been crying for their robbed ancestral land where they are not allowed to return.

The highest judges of the world noted that at least since 1960, self-determination (which means decolonisation if requested) is an important guiding principle of the UN, and that the right to territorial integrity is part of the right to self-determination.

RelatedPosts

Leveraging digital technology to further the human rights agenda

Former Séléka militia leader pleads not guilty as trial begins

Court lays the groundwork for closing phase in Al Hassan case

Mauritius admits that a delegation of the then British colony accepted in 1965 during talks in London that the Chagos Islands would be split off. Mauritius stated before the ICJ it was under pressure then, and that the concession done “under duress” was not legally valid. London said in 1965 that Mauritius would not gain independence if it did not give up Chagos. Thus, the ICJ says, the “agreement” to give up Chagos was not an “expression of the free will” of the people of Mauritius.

The UK is thus under an obligation to give Chagos back to Mauritius as soon as possible to complete the decolonization process, the ICJ said. Monday’s ruling is a non-binding advisory opinion – vested, however, with the authority of the world’s highest judges stating what the current state of international law is. It is up to the United Nations General Assembly to follow up on the ruling and make sure the British give up their last colony in Africa.

For victim’s statement see:

www.youtube.com/watch

Previous Post

A son of LRA leader Joseph Kony describes life in an IDP camp

Next Post

Prosecutor challenges witness on his statements about attacks on IDP camps

Next Post

Prosecutor challenges witness on his statements about attacks on IDP camps

Please login to join discussion

Recent Posts

  • New marathon international trial in The Hague?
  • ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova in Ukraine Conflict
  • Félicien Kabuga’s IRMCT trial suspended indefinitely over dementia claims
  • Darfur victims to wait longer for justice as Khan’s new strategy faces challenges
  • The Hague to host new Ukraine Damage Register

Follow us on Twitter

JFJ – Journalists for Justice

We call out impunity wherever it occurs; we advocate justice for all victims of atrocity crimes; and we work with people of goodwill everywhere who share our values.

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Loading

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Communities of Justice
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Human Rights
  • Elections
  • About US
  • Our Work
  • Careers

Copyright © 2019. Journalists for Justice has asserted its right to be recognized as creators and owners of the content here. Reproduction in part or in whole is permitted on condition that JFJ is acknowledged and notified.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.