UK House of Lords debates Chagos Islands sovereignty bill

The British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill has passed its second reading in the House of Lords, seeking to provide an alternative path regarding the British Indian Ocean Territory. The private member’s bill, introduced by Lord Peter Weir, proposes enshrining the right to self-determination for the Chagossian people through a referendum on sovereignty.

While Lord Weir acknowledged the historical deportation of the Chagossian community between 1969 and 1971 as a shameful colonial act, he argued against the transfer of sovereignty to Mauritius, citing concerns over Mauritius's ability to manage the archipelago. Opponents of the bill, including Foreign Office minister Baroness Winterton, stated the provisions are contrary to UK national security.

The debate follows a May 2025 treaty in which the UK agreed to cede control of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius in exchange for securing the continued operation of the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia. Under the 99-year deal, the UK would pay Mauritius significant annual sums. However, progress on the treaty has been paused following criticism from US President Donald Trump, who described the arrangement as a “terrible deal,” and concerns regarding the security of the military base and Chinese influence in the region.