In 2021, Mauritius enacted a law which criminalises “misrepresenting the sovereignty of Mauritius over any part of its territory”, part of its long-running campaign against Britain’s sovereignty over the strategically crucial Chagos Islands. Anyone, anywhere in the world who breaks the Mauritian law can be prosecuted and imprisoned for up to 10 years.

In other words, it is now a crime under Mauritian law for any British official, parliamentarian, contractor, or even academic to express support for the United Kingdom’s sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, which has been exercised uninterruptedly since 1814, is enshrined in UK law, and which was acknowledged by the post-independence government of Mauritius until 1984.

Policy Exchange today calls on the UK Government to denounce the law as an attempt to intimidate UK officials, businesses, and members of the Chagossian diaspora critical of Mauritius, as well as a breach of international legal principles. It should also provide guarantees to UK officials and parliamentarians that the government will support their right to freely express their views on the future of the islands.

Policy Exchange’s paper – supported with a Foreword from former Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE KC MP, makes it clear that such intimidation is unacceptable, until the law is repealed, the UK should limit high-level contacts with Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Islands, as well as consider suspending foreign aid to Mauritius.