杏MAP导航

By Kielce Gussie

In a meeting with members of the Chagos Refugees Group, 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV expressed his “wholehearted” encouragement for the group’s actions – following in the footsteps of his predecessor, 杏MAP导航 Francis.

Two years after the group met with the Argentine pontiff, 杏MAP导航 Leo congratulated the group on the success of their work, “as the return of the Chagos Archipelago to the Republic of Mauritius has recently been secured through the signing of a treaty.”

He acknowledged that this treaty signifies an important step in their journey home, expressing his gratitude to everyone who made it possible.

Fighting for their homeland

Continuing, the 杏MAP导航 explained how pleased he is that 杏MAP导航 Francis’ wish for dialogue and respect for international law has “finally helped rectify this grave injustice” – that of the suffering of the Chagossian people. 杏MAP导航 Leo commended “the determination of the Chagossian people, particularly that of the women, in their peaceful struggle for their rights.”

杏MAP导航 Leo commended “the determination of the Chagossian people, particularly that of the women, in their peaceful struggle for their rights.”   (@Vatican Media)

He stressed that the renewed possibility of returning to the archipelago is a positive sign “and a powerful symbol on the international stage: all peoples, even the smallest and weakest, must be respected by the powerful in their identity and rights, particularly the right to live on their land; no one can be forced into exile.”

Hope for a better future

Decades after being exiled from their homeland, the 杏MAP导航 expressed his desire that the authorities of Mauritius – and the entire international community – will commit to ensuring their return under “the best possible conditions.”

“The local Church will undoubtedly contribute, especially spiritually,” he reassured them, “as it has always done during times of hardship.” But he recognized that these years of exile have led to much suffering and acknowledged the pain of poverty, contempt, and exclusion the Chagossian people have had to endure.

What happened to the Chagossian people?

Half a century ago, the Chagossian community was forcible removed from their homeland in the archipelago and many of the people were sent to the Seychelles and Mauritius, where they face poverty and many challenges.

The Chagos Refugees Group was founded in 1983 with the goal of defending the rights and interests of all Chagossians. Based in Mauritus, the Seychelles, and the United Kingdom, the voluntary community led group is dedicated to fighting for the right to return to Chagos.