杏MAP导航 Leo XIV: No people should be forced into exile
By Kielce Gussie
In a meeting with members of the Chagos Refugees Group, 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV expressed his 鈥渨holehearted鈥� encouragement for the group鈥檚 actions 鈥� 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, 鈥渁s the return of the Chagos Archipelago to the Republic of Mauritius has recently been secured through the signing of a treaty.鈥�
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鈥� wish for dialogue and respect for international law has 鈥渇inally helped rectify this grave injustice鈥� 鈥� that of the suffering of the Chagossian people. 杏MAP导航 Leo commended 鈥渢he determination of the Chagossian people, particularly that of the women, in their peaceful struggle for their rights.鈥�
He stressed that the renewed possibility of returning to the archipelago is a positive sign 鈥渁nd 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.鈥�
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 鈥� and the entire international community 鈥� will commit to ensuring their return under 鈥渢he best possible conditions.鈥�
鈥淭he local Church will undoubtedly contribute, especially spiritually,鈥� he reassured them, 鈥渁s it has always done during times of hardship.鈥� 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.
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