Statement on Accelerated UK Parliamentary Ratification of the Chagos Agreement

The United Kingdom Government is accelerating parliamentary approval of legislation implementing the UK–Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago, with final stages scheduled for early January 2026.

This development comes despite the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) having publicly expressed concern, on 8 December 2025, that the agreement raises serious issues relating to the rights of affected communities and the adequacy of safeguards.

Proceeding with ratification at speed, while these concerns remain formally outstanding, risks undermining parliamentary scrutiny, meaningful participation, and the credibility of any settlement.

We therefore call for an immediate pause and for engagement with relevant UN human rights mechanisms to ensure that any outcome complies with international obligations and provides effective, rights-compliant safeguards.