Submission to the UK’s Mid-Term report to the Universal Periodic Review

Download MRG’s submission to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland’s Mid-Term Report to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 20 September 2013. In this submission, MRG outlines its views on the UK government’s actions towards the Chagos Islanders, who were expelled from their home in the British Indian Ocean Territory (the “BIOT”) between 1967 and 1973.

MRG considers that under international human rights law, the UK made unjustified interferences with the Chagossians’ rights to private life and home, and is in continuous violation of these rights by failing to facilitate their return to the islands. MRG further considers that under international human rights law, the UK has an obligation to ensure that human rights treaties to which it is a party apply in all territories under its control. MRG reminds the UK of its commitment to the full implementation of the ICCPR in all territories under its control, and its pledge to continue to support overseas territories to abide with basic human rights protection for all.

Download the full submission here.