Fury has erupted over a new law in Mauritius that forbids describing the country as a “British”, with critics facing up to 10 years in prison for breaking the rules.
The Indian Ocean state, which is allied to China, has laid claim to the Chagos Islands, an archipelago that includes a major Anglo-American airbase on Diego Garcia.
As part of making this legal claim, the country has passed a law which criminalises anyone who refers to the Chagos Islands as British. In response, Britain has been urged to ditch its £3.3million in aid that had originally been planned for Mauritius.
Centre-Right think tank Policy Exchange warned in a new report that the draconian legislation puts ministers and MPs at potential risk.
In his foreword to the report Sir Robert Buckland, the former attorney general, described the law as “a brazen act of intimidation dressed as foreign policy”.
He likened it to repressive Chinese laws in Hong Kong. Sir Robert wrote: “A transfer of sovereignty is not in the interests of the Chagossians.
“Further, a transfer is not in the interests of the environment (given that the UK currently protects 250,000 square miles of ocean around the islands) and it is certainly not in the interests of international security in this important region.”
He said the law was a “clear attempt to shut down legitimate debate about the future of the Chagos Islands.”
“I hope that the UK will stand firm in the face of this blatant attempt to stifle debate and to intimidate those who express a different view from that of Mauritius. For normal relations to resume, that legislation must be repealed,” he added.
In September last year it was revealed talks are underway to hand the island group to Mauritius, while retaining control of Diego Garcia.
But foreign secretary Lord Cameron this month appeared to roll back talk of a transfer, telling the Foreign Affairs Committee: “With any negotiated outcome, it has to be beyond doubt that there is no danger to this vital national US-UK asset of not being able to function and operate properly.
“Whether that is Chinese influence or what might happen in the future to Mauritius, or what might happen with other states and the outer islands, all those questions are absolutely front and centre in my mind in looking at this issue.”
Mr Sunak has been urged to cancel foreign aid to Mauritius in response.
Dr Yuan Yi Zhu, an assistant professor of international law at Leiden University, said Britain should respond by cutting £3m in foreign aid payments.
In his report for Policy Exchange he urged Mr Sunak to “limit high-level contacts with Mauritius in relation to the Chagos Islands, including but not limited to contacts in relation to the ongoing talks concerning the sovereignty of the Chagos”.
He added: “The UK Government should also consider additional measures, such as the recall of the British High Commissioner to Mauritius for consultations and the suspension of British foreign aid to Mauritius, which amounts to £3.11m for the 2023/2024 fiscal year.”
“As long as it is left unchallenged, the Mauritian law provides a template for other foreign governments who actively claim territories under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.”
