Judge Temporarily Blocks Eviction Orders Allowing Chagos Islanders to Stay on Île du Coin in the Indian Ocean After Decades of Exile

In a dramatic legal twist, plans by the UK Government to evict returning Chagos Islanders have been temporarily stopped.

A judge has intervened to grant a temporary right for four British Chagossians to stay on Île du Coin, marking the first foothold on their homeland in over 50 years.

The group, led by Chagossian First Minister Misley Mandarin, had sailed 2,000 miles across the Indian Ocean and arrived earlier this week, aiming to kickstart permanent resettlement after decades of forced exile.

A Judge Acts Mid-Flight

Justice James Lewis, the chief justice of the British Indian Ocean Territory, issued the ruling from a flight at around 25,000 feet.

His temporary injunction blocks enforcement of the British eviction notices for seven days, giving the government time to respond.

“This injunction ensures there is a proper process before any deportation is enforced,” Justice Lewis said, emphasizing fairness in handling the claims of native Chagossians.

Islanders Stand Firm

Mandarin and the group celebrated their return in a “Declaration of Returning”: “We, the people of the Chagos Islands, stand today on the soil of our homeland.

We are the advance party. Hundreds more are following. We have come home.”

Their lawyer, James Tumbridge, successfully blocked the eviction notices that carried potential penalties of three years in prison or £3,000 fines.

Mandarin called the attempt to remove them “really appalling,” stressing the injustice of decades of exile.

Political Controversy Over Sovereignty

The return of the Chagos Islanders comes amid a politically sensitive handover.

In May, Sir Keir Starmer’s government agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining a lease on Diego Garcia, a key military base jointly operated with the US, for up to £30 billion over the next century.

The deal has sparked heated debate in London and abroad. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly shifted his stance on the handover, at times calling it “great stupidity” and other times recognizing it as the best option to maintain access to Diego Garcia.

This week, Trump publicly criticized the UK on Truth Social, warning against giving away Diego Garcia, a move believed to be linked to Sir Keir’s refusal to allow US strikes on Iran from UK bases.

Human Rights Versus National Security

Between 1967 and 1973, thousands of Chagossians were forcibly removed from the islands to allow construction of Diego Garcia.

The UK government maintains that entering outer islands without permits is illegal and unsafe.

“The UK recognizes the importance of the islands to the Chagossian community and is working with Mauritius to resume heritage visits,” a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said.

“This kind of illegal, unsafe action is not the way to achieve that.”

What’s Next?

The temporary injunction allows the government time to respond, but the larger struggle over permanent resettlement is far from resolved.

The advance party hopes their presence will pave the way for hundreds more Chagossians to return.

Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions between the UK and US continue, particularly over military use of Diego Garcia and the ongoing Iran conflict.

Legal observers suggest the next steps could involve court hearings to determine whether the Chagossians’ return can be formally legitimized or if further injunctions will be necessary to prevent forced removal.

Summary

By ISABELLA MACHIN, TRAINEE REPORTER

Published: 10:35 EST, 20 February 2026 | Updated: 11:01 EST, 20 February 2026

Plans to evict four British Chagos Islanders who recently returned to Île du Coin have been temporarily halted by a judge.

Justice James Lewis issued a seven-day injunction blocking the removal, allowing the group, led by Misley Mandarin, to stay while the government responds.

The return highlights the ongoing tension between the Chagossians’ right to their homeland, the UK’s legal framework, and strategic interests involving the Diego Garcia military base.

Political controversy surrounds the transfer of sovereignty to Mauritius, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly changing his stance on the deal.

The future of permanent resettlement for Chagossians remains uncertain as legal, diplomatic, and human rights issues continue to unfold.