Dear Brothers and Sisters.
Yesterday, on the 26th of March 2013, we have been given to understand that 8 small Sri Lankan long liners were spotted inside the Chagos EEZ/MR on the 24th of March 2013. The 8 small Sri Lankan long liners were inside the EEZ by at least 20nm.
Evidence attests to the fact that these vessels had relatively fresh looking fish, including shark fins, drying on their roof. The Chagossians’ community strongly deprecates the fact the Sri Lankan long liners are in the Chagos waters and clearly benefitting from the natural resources.
The very presence of the Sri Lankan liners in the Chagos waters is a stark indicator that the unilateral declaration of the Chagos Archipelago as a ‘Marine Protected Area’ (MPA) by the United Kingdom was merely a strategy used by Her Majesty’s Government to prevent resettlement of the Chagossians. Indeed, it is conspicuous that the United Kingdom is not protecting the Chagos waters from intruders.
We believe it absolutely unacceptable that the United Kingdom has failed to apprehend the Sri Lankan intruders. Such laidback attitude on behalf of the United Kingdom reinforced the assertion of the Chagossians’ community that the sole purpose of declaring the Chagos Archipelago as a ‘Marine Protected Area’, was not for the protection and preservation of the environment but only to hinder the right to return and to impede upon our traditional right to fish in the Chagos waters.
However, we are confident and convinced that our judicial review proceedings in which we are contesting the legality of the Marine Protected Area would be successful. Fundamentally, we are looking forward to the cross examinations of both the BIOT Commissioner and his assistant.
Once again, in light of this new evidence, we can proudly state that only the Chagossians are the true and real guardians of the environment in the Chagos Archipelago.
Regards,
Olivier Bancoult, OSK
Chairman CRG
