Migrants stuck for over three years on the isolated Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia have finally arrived in the UK.
Documents reviewed by the BBC indicate that Sri Lankan Tamils are granted permission to stay in the country for six months, accompanied by financial assistance from the Foreign Office.
Their arrival in the UK signifies the conclusion of years of intricate legal struggles fought across vast distances regarding their destiny, yet questions about their long-term future linger.
A group of approximately 60 migrants has been residing in a makeshift camp on Diego Garcia, the location of a significant UK-US military base, since October 2021. This marks a historic moment as they became the first individuals to submit asylum claims at this site.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the government characterized the action as a “one-off, due to the exceptional nature of these cases and in the interests of their welfare.”
The spokesperson stated, “This government has taken on a deeply troubling situation left unresolved for years by the previous administration.”
Tessa Gregory, a representative from the UK law firm Leigh Day, which advocates for several migrants, stated that this approach is the “only sensible solution to end the humanitarian crisis” currently affecting the island.
“This vulnerable group, comprising 16 children, has endured 38 months of detention under deplorable conditions on Crown land. We are hopeful that our clients will now have the opportunity to seek a haven and start rebuilding their lives,” she stated.
Earlier this year, the BBC secured remarkable access to Diego Garcia and the migrant camp located there, where Tamils were accommodated in military tents. Many of these tents were reported to have leaks and were infested with rats.
Throughout their stay on the island, a series of hunger strikes occurred alongside various incidents of self-harm and suicide attempts prompted by the prevailing conditions. Several individuals were subsequently transferred to Rwanda for medical care following these events.
Allegations of sexual assaults and harassment have emerged from within the camp.
According to accounts shared with the BBC, migrants described their experiences as akin to living in “hell.”
A group from Rwanda has arrived in the UK and is landing on a flight Tuesday morning.
A source told the BBC, “I hope to turn a new page.” The individual expresses a desire for health improvement and a personal transformation.
According to information obtained by the BBC, two men with criminal records and another individual currently under investigation continue to reside on the island.
The arrival of Tamils in the UK occurs against a backdrop of uncertainty regarding the future of the territory.
In October, the United Kingdom transferred control of the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, to Mauritius. Mauritius’s newly appointed prime minister has expressed concerns regarding the deal negotiated by his predecessor, which still needs to be signed. He has called for an independent review before proceeding further.
Opposition to the deal is emerging from certain politicians in the UK and allies of US President-elect Donald Trump.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy responded to the criticism by characterizing the agreement as a “good deal” for Mauritius and the UK. He emphasized that it also addresses US concerns regarding the future of the Diego Garcia base.
In recent years, the territory has incurred tens of millions of pounds for the UK, primarily classified as “migrant costs.”
Documents acquired by the BBC reveal that in July, Foreign Office officials cautioned that “the costs are increasing and the latest forecast is that these will be £50m per annum” if their presence continues.
On Friday, the Home Office communicated with the Tamils, informing them they had been granted temporary entry clearance to the UK “outside of the Immigration Rules.” This decision aims to allow them to evaluate their “long-term options.”
The statement emphasized that the offer did not equate to a permanent settlement in the UK or the UK government’s acknowledgment of refugee status. It noted that the group would not be allowed to work.
The government asserts that the Chagos Islands, the British Indian Ocean Territory (Biot), possess a “constitutionally distinct” status from the UK, a situation that has contributed to an ongoing legal dispute.
The Tamil community is mainly in anticipation of conclusive outcomes regarding their requests for international protection, a status the United Nations equates with refugee status, or in the process of appealing against previous rejections.
According to information obtained by the BBC, eight individuals have been granted international protection, which prevents their return to Sri Lanka.
Previous administrations have expressed concerns that facilitating the arrival of Tamils in the UK could potentially establish a “backdoor migration route.”
On Monday, the government announced that measures had been put in place to prevent this situation, referencing an agreement to relocate future arrivals to St Helena, a UK territory located approximately 5,000 miles away.
A spokesperson stated, “Once a sovereignty agreement with Mauritius is fully established, they will assume responsibility for any future migrants.”
