The case is in the name of one Chagossian who lives in Mauritius - Olivier Bancoult, seeking as a representative of Chagossians to be allowed to return to the Chagos Islands - and to share it with the US military base.

It is an opportune time for the Chagossians to assert to the media their wishes - that even if the case is won there are still other demands they are insisting upon - most particularly, their right to self governance and independence and the removal of the US military base.

Chagossians from Crawley will be coming to London led by Hengride Permal
of the Chagos Island Communuty Association. The Chagossians campaign is a
major commitment for the new Global Justice Forum, in terms of demonstrating an ongoing legacy of enslavement. (website for the campaign will be uploaded soon in the next month)



Statement by the Chagos Island Community Association

February 5 2007

We, the people of the Chagos Islands are here today as stakeholders in
this High Court Appeal to determine whether we should be allowed to return
to our homeland.

Whilst we welcome the case, we must also express our concern that
regardless of its outcome there are still serious issues that need to be
addressed.

As descendants of Africans we assert our right to determine our own
destiny. In this respect we are calling for a wider consultation with the
Chagossian people before any decisions are made with regards to our
future.

We demand the complete removal of the US military base from the island of
Diego Garcia and most importantly the right to self governance and
independence.

The Bill to abolish slavery was passed 200 years ago. Yet today in 2007 we
are being denied the right to live peacefully on the Chagos Islands which
we claim as descendants of the indigenous population.

We call upon the people of the United Kingdom, the global African
community and all those who respect justice to support us in our campaign
to win our freedom.


Hengride Permal, Chairperson of the Chagos Island Community Association

 hpermal@hotmail.com ; Tele: 07789 116729



COURT OF APPEAL
CIVIL DIVISION

THE MASTER OF THE ROLLS COURT COURT 71
Before THE MASTER OF THE ROLLS
LORD JUSTICE WALLER Vice President of the Court of Appeal, Civil Division and
LORD JUSTICE SEDLEY
Monday, 5th February, 2007
At half-past 10
APPEAL
From The Queen's Bench Division
(Administrative Court and Divisional Court)
FINAL DECISIONS
C1/2006/1465 The Queen on the application of Bancoult v The Secretary of
State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Appeal of Defendant from the
order of Lord Justice Hooper & Mr Justice Cresswell, dated 23rd June
2006, filed 30th June 2006.


Background:
Ref 1:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LegacyofColonialism/message/1511
Ref 2:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LegacyofColonialism/message/1492
Ref 3:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LegacyofColonialism/message/1373
Ref 4: The Chagos Islands: a sordid tale, BBC News Online, 3 Nov, 2000
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1005064.stm