Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how they are protecting Chagossians in light of the civil unrest in Mauritius.

As of 19 October, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not received any requests for consular assistance and is not aware of any British nationals directly impacted by the recent unrest in Mauritius. British nationals who need consular assistance can contact the FCDO at any time.

The British High Commission Port Louis has been engaging with local authorities and monitoring the situation closely, including for any potential impact on British nationals and local communities. We have updated our travel advice and advised British nationals, which includes any British Chagossians, to avoid large gatherings, observe curfews, and follow local-authority instructions. More widely, we remain in close and regular contact with a range of Chagossian groups in Mauritius.

Chagossians are eligible to apply for UK citizenship under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. There should be no need for Chagossians residing in Mauritius to claim asylum. Information on how to apply for UK citizenship is available on the GOV.UK website.