Professor Philippe Sands QC representing Mauritius in Chagos Islands dispute hearings
5 September 2018
Professor Philippe Sands QC is representing Mauritius in public hearings: Legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965 (Request for Advisory Opinion)
Professor Philippe Sands QC, Professor of Law at UCL Faculty of Laws, is representing Mauritius in hearings on an advisory opinion request from the UN General Assembly.
The International Court of Justice is holding public hearings on the request for advisory opinion on the Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965. The hearings are taking place on 3rd September to 6th September at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
The Chagos Archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean, was detached from Mauritius by the UK in 1965. At this time, Mauritius was a UK colony before gaining independence in 1968.
The Court will consider two key issues: whether the decolonisation of Mauritius was completed lawfully in 1965; and the legal consequences of the UK’s continued administration of the Chagos Islands – including the ability of Mauritius to resettle nationals back on the islands.
Watch the live stream
You can view the hearings in English and French on the International Court of Justice’s website.