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The Last Colony: A Tale of Exile, Justice, and Courage
The moving, inspiring David-and-Goliath true story of freedom and justice involving one tiny nation in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa, and the extraordinary woman, a descendant of slaves, who dared to take on the Crown and the United Kingdom—and win a historic victory
In 1973, on the Chagos Islands off the coast of Africa, Liseby Elyse—twenty years old, newly married and four months pregnant—was, rounded up, along with the entire population of Chagos, and ordered to pack her belongings and leave her beloved homeland by ship or slowly starve; the British had cut off all food supplies.
Some two thousand people who had lived on the islands of Chagos for generations, many the direct descendants of enslaved people brought there from Mozambique and Madagascar in the 18th century by the French and British, were deported overnight from their island paradise as the result of a secret decision by the British government to provide the United States with land to construct a military base in the Indian Ocean.
For four decades the government of Mauritius fought for the return of Chagos. Three decades into the battle, Philippe Sands became the lead lawyer in the case, designing its legal strategy and assembling a team of lawyers from Mauritius, Belgium, India, Ukraine, and the U.S.
When the case finally reached the World Court in the Hague, Sands chose as the star witness the diminutive Liseby Elyse, now sixty-five years old, and instructed her to appear before the court, speaking in Kreol, to tell the fourteen international judges her story of forced exile. The fate of Chagos rested on her testimony.
The judges faced a landmark Would they rule that Britain illegally detached Chagos from Mauritius? Would Liseby Elyse sway the judges and open the door, allowing her and her fellow Chagossians to return home—or would they remain exiled forever?
Philippe Sands writes of his own journey into international law and that of the World Court in the Hague, and of the extraordinary decades-long quest of Liseby Elyse, and the people of Chagos, in their fight for justice and a free and fair return to the idyllic land of their birth.
In 1973, on the Chagos Islands off the coast of Africa, Liseby Elyse—twenty years old, newly married and four months pregnant—was, rounded up, along with the entire population of Chagos, and ordered to pack her belongings and leave her beloved homeland by ship or slowly starve; the British had cut off all food supplies.
Some two thousand people who had lived on the islands of Chagos for generations, many the direct descendants of enslaved people brought there from Mozambique and Madagascar in the 18th century by the French and British, were deported overnight from their island paradise as the result of a secret decision by the British government to provide the United States with land to construct a military base in the Indian Ocean.
For four decades the government of Mauritius fought for the return of Chagos. Three decades into the battle, Philippe Sands became the lead lawyer in the case, designing its legal strategy and assembling a team of lawyers from Mauritius, Belgium, India, Ukraine, and the U.S.
When the case finally reached the World Court in the Hague, Sands chose as the star witness the diminutive Liseby Elyse, now sixty-five years old, and instructed her to appear before the court, speaking in Kreol, to tell the fourteen international judges her story of forced exile. The fate of Chagos rested on her testimony.
The judges faced a landmark Would they rule that Britain illegally detached Chagos from Mauritius? Would Liseby Elyse sway the judges and open the door, allowing her and her fellow Chagossians to return home—or would they remain exiled forever?
Philippe Sands writes of his own journey into international law and that of the World Court in the Hague, and of the extraordinary decades-long quest of Liseby Elyse, and the people of Chagos, in their fight for justice and a free and fair return to the idyllic land of their birth.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2022
186 people are currently reading
3156 people want to read
About the author
Philippe Sands
42 books610 followersPhilippe Sands an Anglo-French lawyer and writer. He is Professor of Law at University College London and a practicing barrister at Matrix Chambers. He has been involved in many important cases, including Pinochet, Congo, Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Iraq, Guantanamo and the Yazadis. His books include Lawless World and Torture Team. He is a frequent contributor to the Financial Times, Guardian, New York Review of Books and Vanity Fair, makes regular appearances on radio and television, and serves on the boards of English PEN and the Hay Festival.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
October 15, 2022
I had previously read the author’s “East West Street” an account of the concept of “Genocide and “Crimes Against Humanity” from the Nurnberg trials to the establishment of the International Criminal Court which had added poignancy and relevance from the author’s personal links to the first and professional links to the second.
This book is also based around International Law – here centring in particular on the way in which International (or supranational – albeit the determination of sovereign nations to ignore unfavorable rulings in International courts is a key part of the book) bodies from the UN to the International Court of Justice (which is the key focus of the book) addressed the legacy of colonalisation.
The case at the heart of the book is one referred to the court by the UN at the behest of the Mauritian government (with Sands acting in the referral and the case before the court) basically claiming that the Chagos archipelago was illegally partitioned from Mauritius immediately prior to the latter being granted its independence by the UK – and further that the Chagos (which was set up by the British as a new colony – the British Indian Ocean Territory as part of a decision to grant the US a cold war and later war-on-terror base on Diego Garcia) Islanders were illegally deported when in 1973 they were forced to leave the Island and explicitly forbidden to return).
Some excellent detail on the situation and the plight of those deported (and their descendants – which include a large community around 10 miles from my home) was covered in an article I read in the US magazine The Atlantic in the Summer and which (subject to paywalls) is here:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/...
Sands own account is an interesting one – he is clearly very interested both in the development of general law in this area (with the book set out chronologically back to the last days of World War II) and in the various machinations of the case (and particularly the manouvering of various countries and the way in which the make up of the court changes decision). It is also a passionate account – its clear that he has taken a strong personal interest in the case and he builds a very strong relationship with Liseby Elyse (who was 20 in 1973 and lost her child on the forced deportation to Mauritius) who is a key witness at the Hague.
Overall I found this a fairly dispiriting tale – perhaps even more so than the author intends. He tends to paint the situation in fairly black and white/good guys and bad guys terms (so that he is pretty clear on what he thinks of the actions of the UK, US and the limited countries that support them). However it seemed clear to me that pretty well all the nations involved in the case were acting from self-interest/Realpolitik terms (effectively interested in making sure their own misdemeanours were not compromised while looking to cause maximum embarrassment to countries that they opposed or simply wanted to temporarily punish e.g. the UK for Brexit). And similarly, with some of the judgements of the court I was rather depressingly reminded of the US Supreme Court where judges positions on cases seem almost pre-determined by their allegiances rather than the real merits of the case (while of course still dressed up as judging the latter).
Nevertheless, it was a worthwhile read – although the political cartoon/caricatures/illustrations by Martin Rowson added nothing to the story for me.
This book is also based around International Law – here centring in particular on the way in which International (or supranational – albeit the determination of sovereign nations to ignore unfavorable rulings in International courts is a key part of the book) bodies from the UN to the International Court of Justice (which is the key focus of the book) addressed the legacy of colonalisation.
The case at the heart of the book is one referred to the court by the UN at the behest of the Mauritian government (with Sands acting in the referral and the case before the court) basically claiming that the Chagos archipelago was illegally partitioned from Mauritius immediately prior to the latter being granted its independence by the UK – and further that the Chagos (which was set up by the British as a new colony – the British Indian Ocean Territory as part of a decision to grant the US a cold war and later war-on-terror base on Diego Garcia) Islanders were illegally deported when in 1973 they were forced to leave the Island and explicitly forbidden to return).
Some excellent detail on the situation and the plight of those deported (and their descendants – which include a large community around 10 miles from my home) was covered in an article I read in the US magazine The Atlantic in the Summer and which (subject to paywalls) is here:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/...
Sands own account is an interesting one – he is clearly very interested both in the development of general law in this area (with the book set out chronologically back to the last days of World War II) and in the various machinations of the case (and particularly the manouvering of various countries and the way in which the make up of the court changes decision). It is also a passionate account – its clear that he has taken a strong personal interest in the case and he builds a very strong relationship with Liseby Elyse (who was 20 in 1973 and lost her child on the forced deportation to Mauritius) who is a key witness at the Hague.
Overall I found this a fairly dispiriting tale – perhaps even more so than the author intends. He tends to paint the situation in fairly black and white/good guys and bad guys terms (so that he is pretty clear on what he thinks of the actions of the UK, US and the limited countries that support them). However it seemed clear to me that pretty well all the nations involved in the case were acting from self-interest/Realpolitik terms (effectively interested in making sure their own misdemeanours were not compromised while looking to cause maximum embarrassment to countries that they opposed or simply wanted to temporarily punish e.g. the UK for Brexit). And similarly, with some of the judgements of the court I was rather depressingly reminded of the US Supreme Court where judges positions on cases seem almost pre-determined by their allegiances rather than the real merits of the case (while of course still dressed up as judging the latter).
Nevertheless, it was a worthwhile read – although the political cartoon/caricatures/illustrations by Martin Rowson added nothing to the story for me.
February 12, 2025
12.02.2025 review update “Starmer’s friend (Philippe Sands) raised Mauritius flag on Chagos”
With a change of government in America, Donald Trump’s global reach has included comments from the new Administration regarding the work in progress to reach agreement on the future of the Chagos islands. Picking up the newspaper coverage its apparent that Britain’s Daily Telegraph sees some mileage in putting the islands back on the front page, and to focus on the individual- Philippe Sands. The Telegraph has been committed to putting down the UK labour party Prime Minister (just completed six months in office).
There is so much (newspaper) misinformation; so much distortion; so much political manoeuvring, that its hard to know where to begin.
What is clear is that one of the planks upon which Phillipe Sands constructed his Chagos islands book (in 2021) – the condemnation of Boris Johnson’s government by individual nations and the United Nations and international Court of Justice (ICJ) , will be somewhat less strident and united, given the manner in which Trump addresses international affairs, and anything that has a declared American self interest.
When Sands wrote his 2005 book Lawless World the charge was that the United States is abandoning international law. What’s changed now is that such an approach to global affairs is no longer covert, or coached in political speak- its now openly broadcasted.
The Chagos islands issue was always a Diego Garcia issue. The nature of long term leases, and ownership was always an American issue. The challenge for the Uk is to satisfy the USA while addressing the horrendous publicity garnered by the Chagos refugees clustered around Gatwick airport in Crawley. Asylum seeking, both for the individuals already in the UK and the handful of new arrivals who still wind up in the Chagos archipelago) is at odds with the Sands assertion of a strong desire of a return to Peros Banhos and those tiny islands that have zero accommodation or infrastructure.
And for the Telegraph to target Sands and Starmer is just monumental hypocrisy, and/or an inability to decipher facts. In the very short lived tenure of Johnson’s successor, Liz Truss, new negotiations from her Tory government were one of the very few quantifiable initiatives of her time in office
****03.10.2024. review update***** https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c...
"UK will give sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius"
With a recent change of government in the UK (July 2024), Sir Keir Starmer has continued (completed?-not sure) what Robin Cook carried forward, and then James Cleverly, in the last knockings of the fateful Conservative Johnson-inspired goverment, progressed.
My review in January 2022, below, doesnt change one iota following this 2024 'breakthrough'. Talk of the Chagos islands as a homogeneous entity, being treated identically in this latest diplomatic arrangement are just not correct.
Mauritius will also be able to start enacting a programme of resettlement on the Chagos Islands, but not on Diego Garcia. There, the UK will ensure operation of the military base for "an initial period" of 99 years. The US has supported the decision, with President Joe Biden applauding the "historic" deal.
I don't expect Crawley Borough Council, in the UK, to be besieged by the Chagossians clustered near Gatwick Airport to cancel their applications for UK citizenship any time soon.
The public relations impact for the UK and USA is likely to be positive, and meanwhile the war in Ukraine rages and the change in status of (some of) the Chagos islands addresses some of the accusations of super power hypocrisy.
****Review 10.01.2022***
I have significant reservations about the slant of the investigation and conclusions in The Last Colony.
Philippe Sands is a very adept broadcaster, writer and presenter in the literary world. He writes predominantly non fiction and he is unusual, if not unique, in combing the above with practicing as a barrister and lecturing as a Professor, in the field of international law. He is President of English PEN. Having heard him speak a few times now I know him to be very competent inbdealing with subject matter which invariably shows people at their very worst. Sands himself has mastered the art of getting serious, technical, subject matter across to a wider public via his commercially successful books, most recently East West Street and Ratline . His books contain human interest stories which set up the legal and technical messages in ways that an academic text book can’t always achieve.
The book shines useful light on a little known British overseas presence with a fascinating history (Sands himself acknowledges that he knew virtually nothing in 2010). However, Sands, in my opinion has not done very much more than win new readerships for the part of the story of the Chagos Archipelago that has already been well written (by the Guardian’s Owen Bowcott, among others).
https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/wo...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/202...
The renowned John Pilger made a documentary on the subject in 2004.
https://johnpilger.com/videos/stealin...
(Note: Sands book has an extensive bibliography in which multiple sources are cited)
Having said that Mr Sands has earned my respect, I nonetheless regard The Last Colony as a book which ducks the issues in hand. Insightful and informative, but flawed.
• The overriding issue I have is that Sands has written a book, and summarised the legal proceedings on the subject of a reverse diaspora, as “Chagossians” returning to their country; the place from which they were forcibly removed between 1968-1973. In this context the catch all “Chagossian” is too broad, and ambiguous.
• I ask the question: How do Peros Banhos(ans) and Diego Garcians get on? 143 miles separate the two islands. The forced evacuation happened at the same time (between 1968-1973), but only one set of exiles is being boosted by Sands in the hope and belief that they will return to the land of their birth.
• Coincidentally (?) the prize winning novel Diego Garcia by Natasha Soobramanien and Luke Williams was also published in 2022 Substitute Damaris (Diego) for Liseby Elyse in The Last Colony. The circumstances of evacuation are similar but the timeline and potential options for the two sets of exiles are very different.
When I heard Mr. Sands speak recently his remarks about the gestation of The Last Colony, explains the position of influence he has attained as a writer:
“Writing a book gets the message out more widely and to different audiences.”
Lawless World (2005) set out to document how the United States is abandoning international law with a particular focus on planning for the Iraq War.
It was this book that drew the attention of the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr Jugnauth, and which led to the recruitment of Sands to orchestrate a challenge to the British government in the matter of the Chagos Islands. Sands became an actor in his own drama. The book was published in mid-2022
The judgement in 2019 at the International Court of Justice gave the “advice” that the evacuation of islanders in the late 1960’s was an illegal act. Consequences of this judgement continue as the current Conservative government in the Uk, (one running divergence is the distinction between ‘advice’ and ‘law’, binding and non-binding).
• Despite her short tenure as UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss set about following up on the cause of the Chagossians. James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary is making certain pronouncements on the Chagos Islands, and some changes to the existing status quo between Mauritius and Britain appear to be underway, and ongoing.
Mr Sands makes some pertinent points in his book about reasons for the 2019 judgement and a possible alteration in the thinking of the Foreign office. Sands also makes the following points about context
• Mr. Johnson, both as Foreign Secretary and subsequently Prime Minister of Great Britain, has had a notable effect on the standing of Britain in world affairs. His personal lack of attention to detail, and his articles in the Daily Telegraph with usage of inconsiderate language, including a perceived lack of respect for Barack Obama, have not gone unnoticed. The after effects of Brexit on the UK world reputation has added further fuel to those who in court are emboldened to take positions contrary to the UK. There is no longer a sense that European countries will regard the UK as an ally in International affairs, a number of African countries don’t respond well to the Johnson shtick.
• UK status in the world is a changed one. The UK needs to recognise that it’s a different world now. A dose of humility and recognition for actions that are now clearly regrettable would not go amiss- and the Chagos peoples are an example of past misdemeanours that need to be re-assessed. There’s the need to teach a different history in school, and to acknowledge errors.
To understand my gripe in Sands’ book :his failure to clearly delineate differences between Peros Banhos, (and Salomon Island) and Diego Garcia, its necessary to look at the geography of the region, and the history of the last sixty years.
Geography
• Distinguish the islands/atolls in the archipelago:
Peros Banhos 9.6 km
Diego Garcia 32 km
Salomon 3.5km
• “Peros Banhos comprises three dozen islands and islets, seven of which were inhabited… Isle du Coin was the most populous, a speck of sand and coconut trees, home to 400 souls” (from Sands (21)
• Diego Garcia distance to Peros Banhos is 230km
• Chagos Archipelago is 2,000 miles from Mauritius, and 500 miles from the Maldives
History
• 1814 Treaty of Paris Napoleonic wars cessation; abolition of slavery. Mauritius transferred to Britain.
• 1960 principle (as distinct from right) of ‘self determination’ agreed in the UN assembly.
• 1959-1968 (12 March). Mauritius: the road to independence.
o Strategic Island concept applied to Diego Garcia at Washington request. Jan 1965 Americans wanted the entire archipelago to be detached
o Mauritius agreed to the detachment of Chagos Islands. BIOT created (British Indian Ocean Territory) £3million compensation agreed by British government.
o 1966 Vietnam War quid pro quo (Harold Wilson)
o In 1966 an “Exchange of Notes” to 2016 (50 years) /2036 (20 year extension) between BIOT and America for use of Diego Garcia
• 1970s: 1500 Chagossians forcibly removed in 1973
o Mid 1970s to 1998 Chagos individuals sued Uk govt for right to return to their island of birth
o 1998-2004 The British government (Foreign Secretary Robin Cook) announced that the Chagossians would be able to return to all parts of Chagos except Diego Garcia.
o 2004 Iraq war changed things
o 2006 100 individuals return to visit PB, Salomon and DG
o 2010 Marine Protection Area (MPA) around Chagos Islands was established.
• Philippe Sands (from 2010)
o (90) British government assign £40 million more for resettlement and “heritage visits”
o (91/2) Sands to US to press case and stress that DG was not part of conversation/ challenge
o (105) post Brexit world. Another stab at declaring illegality of detachment: different judge composition
“Another key issue to be neutralised was the future of the US base at DG. Mauritius circulated a note to all UN members that it supported the continued operation of the base at DG in accordance with international law. Later Mauritius went a step further, offering the United States a ninety- nine year lease.”
o ICJ case 2019. Evidence given by 5 Chagossians- 2 from Peros Banhos; 3 from Salomon
o on news that the evacuation was unlawful:
“Mr Jugnauth re-iterated Mauritius’s strong commitment to the continuation of the US military base at Diego Garcia, and the return of the displaced Mauritians to Peros Banhos. Mauritius was willing to negotiate a treaty with the Americans, and if the British wanted a role they could have one.
o Two countries spoke in support of Britain: the United States, with an interest of its own, and the Maldives, for reasons entirely unclear”
o Chagos exiles in Crawley- Sands acknowledges a mixture of interests and views- eg full autonomy.
Of Diego Garcia: “Why should Filipinos, Bangladeshis and Mauritians work at the military base with the Americans, but not us!”
o Joe Biden “rings hollow”( 149.) in his criticism of Russia in Ukraine/ China in South China Seas, with regard to the Chagos ruling.
Sands: “my hope is that the two countries will enter into a long term strategic relationship, one that maintains the US base at Diego Garcia” (150)
In The Guardian, Feb 2022 Sands “believes the UK’s hardline resistance is partially because it fears that handing over the BIOT would set a precedent for the loss of the Falklands and Gibraltar. “But there’s no other UK [territory] that involves a case of [territorial] dismemberment [before independence]”
In conclusion it is clear from his book, and the parts where Sands expresses a personal opinion, that his concern for liberty and the rights of the individual is limited to those parts of the Chagossian archipelago that do not include Diego Garcia. Perhaps the sentiments expressed (again in Sands’s book) by the Crawley Chagossian exiles about being allowed to work at the US base, will be some tiny recompense. I think not
As for the unravelling of colonialism, and the (sometimes) accident of historical conquest, I find Sands’s comments about the 2019 vote and the Maldives support of Britain for reasons entirely unclear somewhat disingenuous. Fishing rights and the much closer distances to Chagos from Maldives (compared to Mauritius) might have something to do with this?
The subject matter is fascinating and evolving. This goes much further than Port Louis, or Crawley, or Peros Banhos and its subject matter that will stay largely suppressed despite the engagement of Philippe Sands.
One final postscript. While the dispute(s) continue, luxury yachts can stay at Salomon and Peros Banhos up to 28 days for £400.00
With a change of government in America, Donald Trump’s global reach has included comments from the new Administration regarding the work in progress to reach agreement on the future of the Chagos islands. Picking up the newspaper coverage its apparent that Britain’s Daily Telegraph sees some mileage in putting the islands back on the front page, and to focus on the individual- Philippe Sands. The Telegraph has been committed to putting down the UK labour party Prime Minister (just completed six months in office).
There is so much (newspaper) misinformation; so much distortion; so much political manoeuvring, that its hard to know where to begin.
What is clear is that one of the planks upon which Phillipe Sands constructed his Chagos islands book (in 2021) – the condemnation of Boris Johnson’s government by individual nations and the United Nations and international Court of Justice (ICJ) , will be somewhat less strident and united, given the manner in which Trump addresses international affairs, and anything that has a declared American self interest.
When Sands wrote his 2005 book Lawless World the charge was that the United States is abandoning international law. What’s changed now is that such an approach to global affairs is no longer covert, or coached in political speak- its now openly broadcasted.
The Chagos islands issue was always a Diego Garcia issue. The nature of long term leases, and ownership was always an American issue. The challenge for the Uk is to satisfy the USA while addressing the horrendous publicity garnered by the Chagos refugees clustered around Gatwick airport in Crawley. Asylum seeking, both for the individuals already in the UK and the handful of new arrivals who still wind up in the Chagos archipelago) is at odds with the Sands assertion of a strong desire of a return to Peros Banhos and those tiny islands that have zero accommodation or infrastructure.
And for the Telegraph to target Sands and Starmer is just monumental hypocrisy, and/or an inability to decipher facts. In the very short lived tenure of Johnson’s successor, Liz Truss, new negotiations from her Tory government were one of the very few quantifiable initiatives of her time in office
****03.10.2024. review update***** https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c...
"UK will give sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius"
With a recent change of government in the UK (July 2024), Sir Keir Starmer has continued (completed?-not sure) what Robin Cook carried forward, and then James Cleverly, in the last knockings of the fateful Conservative Johnson-inspired goverment, progressed.
My review in January 2022, below, doesnt change one iota following this 2024 'breakthrough'. Talk of the Chagos islands as a homogeneous entity, being treated identically in this latest diplomatic arrangement are just not correct.
Mauritius will also be able to start enacting a programme of resettlement on the Chagos Islands, but not on Diego Garcia. There, the UK will ensure operation of the military base for "an initial period" of 99 years. The US has supported the decision, with President Joe Biden applauding the "historic" deal.
I don't expect Crawley Borough Council, in the UK, to be besieged by the Chagossians clustered near Gatwick Airport to cancel their applications for UK citizenship any time soon.
The public relations impact for the UK and USA is likely to be positive, and meanwhile the war in Ukraine rages and the change in status of (some of) the Chagos islands addresses some of the accusations of super power hypocrisy.
****Review 10.01.2022***
I have significant reservations about the slant of the investigation and conclusions in The Last Colony.
Philippe Sands is a very adept broadcaster, writer and presenter in the literary world. He writes predominantly non fiction and he is unusual, if not unique, in combing the above with practicing as a barrister and lecturing as a Professor, in the field of international law. He is President of English PEN. Having heard him speak a few times now I know him to be very competent inbdealing with subject matter which invariably shows people at their very worst. Sands himself has mastered the art of getting serious, technical, subject matter across to a wider public via his commercially successful books, most recently East West Street and Ratline . His books contain human interest stories which set up the legal and technical messages in ways that an academic text book can’t always achieve.
The book shines useful light on a little known British overseas presence with a fascinating history (Sands himself acknowledges that he knew virtually nothing in 2010). However, Sands, in my opinion has not done very much more than win new readerships for the part of the story of the Chagos Archipelago that has already been well written (by the Guardian’s Owen Bowcott, among others).
https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/wo...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/202...
The renowned John Pilger made a documentary on the subject in 2004.
https://johnpilger.com/videos/stealin...
(Note: Sands book has an extensive bibliography in which multiple sources are cited)
Having said that Mr Sands has earned my respect, I nonetheless regard The Last Colony as a book which ducks the issues in hand. Insightful and informative, but flawed.
• The overriding issue I have is that Sands has written a book, and summarised the legal proceedings on the subject of a reverse diaspora, as “Chagossians” returning to their country; the place from which they were forcibly removed between 1968-1973. In this context the catch all “Chagossian” is too broad, and ambiguous.
• I ask the question: How do Peros Banhos(ans) and Diego Garcians get on? 143 miles separate the two islands. The forced evacuation happened at the same time (between 1968-1973), but only one set of exiles is being boosted by Sands in the hope and belief that they will return to the land of their birth.
• Coincidentally (?) the prize winning novel Diego Garcia by Natasha Soobramanien and Luke Williams was also published in 2022 Substitute Damaris (Diego) for Liseby Elyse in The Last Colony. The circumstances of evacuation are similar but the timeline and potential options for the two sets of exiles are very different.
When I heard Mr. Sands speak recently his remarks about the gestation of The Last Colony, explains the position of influence he has attained as a writer:
“Writing a book gets the message out more widely and to different audiences.”
Lawless World (2005) set out to document how the United States is abandoning international law with a particular focus on planning for the Iraq War.
It was this book that drew the attention of the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr Jugnauth, and which led to the recruitment of Sands to orchestrate a challenge to the British government in the matter of the Chagos Islands. Sands became an actor in his own drama. The book was published in mid-2022
The judgement in 2019 at the International Court of Justice gave the “advice” that the evacuation of islanders in the late 1960’s was an illegal act. Consequences of this judgement continue as the current Conservative government in the Uk, (one running divergence is the distinction between ‘advice’ and ‘law’, binding and non-binding).
• Despite her short tenure as UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss set about following up on the cause of the Chagossians. James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary is making certain pronouncements on the Chagos Islands, and some changes to the existing status quo between Mauritius and Britain appear to be underway, and ongoing.
Mr Sands makes some pertinent points in his book about reasons for the 2019 judgement and a possible alteration in the thinking of the Foreign office. Sands also makes the following points about context
• Mr. Johnson, both as Foreign Secretary and subsequently Prime Minister of Great Britain, has had a notable effect on the standing of Britain in world affairs. His personal lack of attention to detail, and his articles in the Daily Telegraph with usage of inconsiderate language, including a perceived lack of respect for Barack Obama, have not gone unnoticed. The after effects of Brexit on the UK world reputation has added further fuel to those who in court are emboldened to take positions contrary to the UK. There is no longer a sense that European countries will regard the UK as an ally in International affairs, a number of African countries don’t respond well to the Johnson shtick.
• UK status in the world is a changed one. The UK needs to recognise that it’s a different world now. A dose of humility and recognition for actions that are now clearly regrettable would not go amiss- and the Chagos peoples are an example of past misdemeanours that need to be re-assessed. There’s the need to teach a different history in school, and to acknowledge errors.
To understand my gripe in Sands’ book :his failure to clearly delineate differences between Peros Banhos, (and Salomon Island) and Diego Garcia, its necessary to look at the geography of the region, and the history of the last sixty years.
Geography
• Distinguish the islands/atolls in the archipelago:
Peros Banhos 9.6 km
Diego Garcia 32 km
Salomon 3.5km
• “Peros Banhos comprises three dozen islands and islets, seven of which were inhabited… Isle du Coin was the most populous, a speck of sand and coconut trees, home to 400 souls” (from Sands (21)
• Diego Garcia distance to Peros Banhos is 230km
• Chagos Archipelago is 2,000 miles from Mauritius, and 500 miles from the Maldives
History
• 1814 Treaty of Paris Napoleonic wars cessation; abolition of slavery. Mauritius transferred to Britain.
• 1960 principle (as distinct from right) of ‘self determination’ agreed in the UN assembly.
• 1959-1968 (12 March). Mauritius: the road to independence.
o Strategic Island concept applied to Diego Garcia at Washington request. Jan 1965 Americans wanted the entire archipelago to be detached
o Mauritius agreed to the detachment of Chagos Islands. BIOT created (British Indian Ocean Territory) £3million compensation agreed by British government.
o 1966 Vietnam War quid pro quo (Harold Wilson)
o In 1966 an “Exchange of Notes” to 2016 (50 years) /2036 (20 year extension) between BIOT and America for use of Diego Garcia
• 1970s: 1500 Chagossians forcibly removed in 1973
o Mid 1970s to 1998 Chagos individuals sued Uk govt for right to return to their island of birth
o 1998-2004 The British government (Foreign Secretary Robin Cook) announced that the Chagossians would be able to return to all parts of Chagos except Diego Garcia.
o 2004 Iraq war changed things
o 2006 100 individuals return to visit PB, Salomon and DG
o 2010 Marine Protection Area (MPA) around Chagos Islands was established.
• Philippe Sands (from 2010)
o (90) British government assign £40 million more for resettlement and “heritage visits”
o (91/2) Sands to US to press case and stress that DG was not part of conversation/ challenge
o (105) post Brexit world. Another stab at declaring illegality of detachment: different judge composition
“Another key issue to be neutralised was the future of the US base at DG. Mauritius circulated a note to all UN members that it supported the continued operation of the base at DG in accordance with international law. Later Mauritius went a step further, offering the United States a ninety- nine year lease.”
o ICJ case 2019. Evidence given by 5 Chagossians- 2 from Peros Banhos; 3 from Salomon
o on news that the evacuation was unlawful:
“Mr Jugnauth re-iterated Mauritius’s strong commitment to the continuation of the US military base at Diego Garcia, and the return of the displaced Mauritians to Peros Banhos. Mauritius was willing to negotiate a treaty with the Americans, and if the British wanted a role they could have one.
o Two countries spoke in support of Britain: the United States, with an interest of its own, and the Maldives, for reasons entirely unclear”
o Chagos exiles in Crawley- Sands acknowledges a mixture of interests and views- eg full autonomy.
Of Diego Garcia: “Why should Filipinos, Bangladeshis and Mauritians work at the military base with the Americans, but not us!”
o Joe Biden “rings hollow”( 149.) in his criticism of Russia in Ukraine/ China in South China Seas, with regard to the Chagos ruling.
Sands: “my hope is that the two countries will enter into a long term strategic relationship, one that maintains the US base at Diego Garcia” (150)
In The Guardian, Feb 2022 Sands “believes the UK’s hardline resistance is partially because it fears that handing over the BIOT would set a precedent for the loss of the Falklands and Gibraltar. “But there’s no other UK [territory] that involves a case of [territorial] dismemberment [before independence]”
In conclusion it is clear from his book, and the parts where Sands expresses a personal opinion, that his concern for liberty and the rights of the individual is limited to those parts of the Chagossian archipelago that do not include Diego Garcia. Perhaps the sentiments expressed (again in Sands’s book) by the Crawley Chagossian exiles about being allowed to work at the US base, will be some tiny recompense. I think not
As for the unravelling of colonialism, and the (sometimes) accident of historical conquest, I find Sands’s comments about the 2019 vote and the Maldives support of Britain for reasons entirely unclear somewhat disingenuous. Fishing rights and the much closer distances to Chagos from Maldives (compared to Mauritius) might have something to do with this?
The subject matter is fascinating and evolving. This goes much further than Port Louis, or Crawley, or Peros Banhos and its subject matter that will stay largely suppressed despite the engagement of Philippe Sands.
One final postscript. While the dispute(s) continue, luxury yachts can stay at Salomon and Peros Banhos up to 28 days for £400.00
October 11, 2023
In the 1960s, Britain created its last colony when it detached the Chagos Islands from the fledgling nation of Mauritius, forcibly deporting the residents whose families have lived there for centuries. Philippe Sands, who was one of the lawyers representing Mauritius at the World Court, tells the story of how this came to be, and the story of what happened afterward.
I had never heard of the story of Chagossians before, but I quickly became sucked into their fight for justice and demands to be allowed to return to the home from which they had been displaced by the lingering forces of colonialism. Sands discusses the story from both the political and personal angle, linking the life of Liseby Elysé, who had been forced from her birthplace as a young woman, with the history of how the case came to be tried in the Hague fifty years afterward, going into depth on the legal issues at hand.
The author notes that the book was shaped from a series of lectures he gave on the topic at the Hague Academy of International Law. As such, The Last Colony was much more dry and academic in tone than I had expected from the description. Though Sands does his best to explain the thorny issues of international law that surrounded the case, it was hard at times to fully understand how everything being discussed linked together and with the case.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I had never heard of the story of Chagossians before, but I quickly became sucked into their fight for justice and demands to be allowed to return to the home from which they had been displaced by the lingering forces of colonialism. Sands discusses the story from both the political and personal angle, linking the life of Liseby Elysé, who had been forced from her birthplace as a young woman, with the history of how the case came to be tried in the Hague fifty years afterward, going into depth on the legal issues at hand.
The author notes that the book was shaped from a series of lectures he gave on the topic at the Hague Academy of International Law. As such, The Last Colony was much more dry and academic in tone than I had expected from the description. Though Sands does his best to explain the thorny issues of international law that surrounded the case, it was hard at times to fully understand how everything being discussed linked together and with the case.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
November 3, 2022
This book is important and shows what a lack of morality the British government has had over its treatment of people who's lands it decided it owned. My only issue with the book is readability as it does focus a great deal on international law and issues of precedent so it is very dry at times but there is a personal edge to it as well. My average score is not a reflection on the subject matter or its importance as that gets a solid 10 out of 5 but just the delivery. Everyone should read though
August 24, 2024
Tenía muchas ganas de leer este libro. Me encantan este tipo de crónicas judiciales que, además, te ayudan a aprender sobre la historia de lugares que, en condiciones normales, apenas te sonarían. En este caso, la dramática historia de las islas Chagos y su relación con la descolonización de Mauricio.
Philippe Sands consigue narrar algo que fácilmente podría ser un peñazo infumable de manera amena y didáctica, sin caer en el sentimentalismo ni abusar de lo técnico. Al terminar el libro te quedas con una idea básica y clara de los procesos históricos que llevaron a ese choque entre Mauricio (y los chagosianos) y el Reino Unido, pero también muestra de manera impecable, a veces tan realista que duele, el funcionamiento de los tribunales internacionales. Y es que el desarrollo del Derecho internacional, el más incumplido y manipulado de todos, será clave para entender la historia que nos quiere trasmitir Sands.
Este relato te hace pensar sobre descolonización, neoimperialismo, derechos humanos, realpolitik, justicia e injusticia… Como todo relato al estilo David y Goliat, es muy fácil empatizar con los chagosianos y desesperarse con la persistencia imperialista de los británicos, así como por el cruel intervencionismo en los tribunales internacionales, que deberían ser los más neutrales de todos, si cabe. Pero también está bien que nos recuerden, de vez en cuando, que el mundo se sigue rigiendo por intereses no siempre justificables.
Mauricio sale de su habitual irrelevancia para convertirse en un luchador muy débil, pero tenaz y paciente. El Reino Unido (y sus decrecientes aliados) queda retratado como una potencia en creciente decadencia, tan convencida de su propio poder que no es consciente de que se le escapa entre los dedos lo poco que le queda, y que parece embarcada en los últimos quince años en una cruzada por hacer un mayor ridículo detrás de otro y por aumentar su irrelevancia internacional. Bien es cierto, ese delirante Partido Conservador post-Cameron no le ha ayudado en absoluto.
Sands tiene una visión radicalmente anticolonial, y su concepción de lo que es una colonia es bastante amplio (llega a hablar de Ceuta y Melilla como colonias, o casi, aunque no nos explica el por qué más allá del hecho incuestionable de que están en África… Curiosamente, no habla de Canarias), por lo que la personalidad del autor está presente en sus páginas. Pero, considero que hace un trabajo muy exhaustivo de documentación y referencia en todo lo que rodea al tema central, lo que acompaña con su propia experiencia personal a favor de Mauricio en el proceso de La Haya, enriqueciendo el libro muchísimo.
Un libro muy interesante, triste en el sentido de mostrar la impudicia del sistema mundo, pero que también deja un poso de esperanza en el exasperantemente lento avance de la justicia basada en los derechos humanos y el internacionalismo.
Philippe Sands consigue narrar algo que fácilmente podría ser un peñazo infumable de manera amena y didáctica, sin caer en el sentimentalismo ni abusar de lo técnico. Al terminar el libro te quedas con una idea básica y clara de los procesos históricos que llevaron a ese choque entre Mauricio (y los chagosianos) y el Reino Unido, pero también muestra de manera impecable, a veces tan realista que duele, el funcionamiento de los tribunales internacionales. Y es que el desarrollo del Derecho internacional, el más incumplido y manipulado de todos, será clave para entender la historia que nos quiere trasmitir Sands.
Este relato te hace pensar sobre descolonización, neoimperialismo, derechos humanos, realpolitik, justicia e injusticia… Como todo relato al estilo David y Goliat, es muy fácil empatizar con los chagosianos y desesperarse con la persistencia imperialista de los británicos, así como por el cruel intervencionismo en los tribunales internacionales, que deberían ser los más neutrales de todos, si cabe. Pero también está bien que nos recuerden, de vez en cuando, que el mundo se sigue rigiendo por intereses no siempre justificables.
Mauricio sale de su habitual irrelevancia para convertirse en un luchador muy débil, pero tenaz y paciente. El Reino Unido (y sus decrecientes aliados) queda retratado como una potencia en creciente decadencia, tan convencida de su propio poder que no es consciente de que se le escapa entre los dedos lo poco que le queda, y que parece embarcada en los últimos quince años en una cruzada por hacer un mayor ridículo detrás de otro y por aumentar su irrelevancia internacional. Bien es cierto, ese delirante Partido Conservador post-Cameron no le ha ayudado en absoluto.
Sands tiene una visión radicalmente anticolonial, y su concepción de lo que es una colonia es bastante amplio (llega a hablar de Ceuta y Melilla como colonias, o casi, aunque no nos explica el por qué más allá del hecho incuestionable de que están en África… Curiosamente, no habla de Canarias), por lo que la personalidad del autor está presente en sus páginas. Pero, considero que hace un trabajo muy exhaustivo de documentación y referencia en todo lo que rodea al tema central, lo que acompaña con su propia experiencia personal a favor de Mauricio en el proceso de La Haya, enriqueciendo el libro muchísimo.
Un libro muy interesante, triste en el sentido de mostrar la impudicia del sistema mundo, pero que también deja un poso de esperanza en el exasperantemente lento avance de la justicia basada en los derechos humanos y el internacionalismo.
April 2, 2024
3.5 rounded up because his class is fire and my drive to do international law is strengthened every week
December 7, 2023
For some ridiculous reason, the book description doesn't appear with the audiobook. It's here.
I picked this up because the subject's intrinsically interesting -- the expulsion by Great Britain of the Chagos islanders from their home, and the decades-long legal effort, in which Philippe Sands participated, to right this great wrong. I've read Sands's East West Street and The Ratline, both of which I found unforgettable. I was also drawn to this book because the perspective of Mme Liseby Elysé, who as a pregnant twenty-year-old became one of the refugees, appears in her words, so that Sands doesn't speak for her, except of course as her attorney. Adjoa Andoh, who's one of my favorite narrators, full stop, gives Mme Elysé voice.
Listening to the audiobook version has its advantages, in that Sands reads well and Andoh performs well -- for once, though, I thought perhaps she overperformed at times. (On the other hand, for all I know she models her performance on Mme Elysé's manner of speaking, in which case never mind.) A great disadvantage, though, is that the history of international humanitarian law and maritime law is intrinsic to Sands's account, and for someone unfamiliar, or only slightly acquainted, with those subjects, those passages quickly turn into a sort of narrative thicket. They'd be a lot easier to follow with eyes than ears -- at least, that's true for me.
So my four stars are specifically for the audio version of this book; if I'd read it instead of listening, I'm about 99% sure I'd have given five stars. In any case, highly recommended, especially for anyone interested in colonialism and international law, along with the story of a particular courageous and determined individual living at the sharp end of history.
I picked this up because the subject's intrinsically interesting -- the expulsion by Great Britain of the Chagos islanders from their home, and the decades-long legal effort, in which Philippe Sands participated, to right this great wrong. I've read Sands's East West Street and The Ratline, both of which I found unforgettable. I was also drawn to this book because the perspective of Mme Liseby Elysé, who as a pregnant twenty-year-old became one of the refugees, appears in her words, so that Sands doesn't speak for her, except of course as her attorney. Adjoa Andoh, who's one of my favorite narrators, full stop, gives Mme Elysé voice.
Listening to the audiobook version has its advantages, in that Sands reads well and Andoh performs well -- for once, though, I thought perhaps she overperformed at times. (On the other hand, for all I know she models her performance on Mme Elysé's manner of speaking, in which case never mind.) A great disadvantage, though, is that the history of international humanitarian law and maritime law is intrinsic to Sands's account, and for someone unfamiliar, or only slightly acquainted, with those subjects, those passages quickly turn into a sort of narrative thicket. They'd be a lot easier to follow with eyes than ears -- at least, that's true for me.
So my four stars are specifically for the audio version of this book; if I'd read it instead of listening, I'm about 99% sure I'd have given five stars. In any case, highly recommended, especially for anyone interested in colonialism and international law, along with the story of a particular courageous and determined individual living at the sharp end of history.
May 3, 2025
I bought this book on a whim. Starting reading it this morning around 7:30 am and finished it a couple of hours later. Devoured it.
The names of Chagos, Peros Banhos and Liseby Elisé have now a meaningful impact of my understanding of the world.
I have wanted to read East West Street for a long time and ending up buying the two books and reading this one first. His voice resonates with me.
Je suis maintenant impatiente de lire East West Street. J’aime beaucoup la voix de Philippe Sands.
The names of Chagos, Peros Banhos and Liseby Elisé have now a meaningful impact of my understanding of the world.
I have wanted to read East West Street for a long time and ending up buying the two books and reading this one first. His voice resonates with me.
Je suis maintenant impatiente de lire East West Street. J’aime beaucoup la voix de Philippe Sands.
December 25, 2022
Not my favourite of his books, but fascinating story of the struggle of the displaced Chagoians for justice
December 4, 2024
Sands wrote this book based on a series of lectures he gave at the Hague Academy. He is a humans rights lawyer and distinguished in his field, not just due to his academic merits, but his work as a legal champion of righting wrongs. Whilst this book does consist of legal jargon and the explanations of court proceedings, I found it just as riveting as I found East West Street. However, in some ways I enjoyed this one more. Maybe because it was shorter and my attention span these days is worryingly low. But, positively, Sands’s own voice came through more strongly, in the sense that he seemed less guarded about voicing his own opinions and thoughts on the people he came into contact with whilst leading the Chagossian case, and I liked that a lot more. He strikes me as an otherwise quiet character and observer, and I love reading intelligent people’s observations of other people. His commentary on the Mauritian leaders, on our 2018 Foreign Secretary, on the historical legacies of US and UK imperial figures made me smile (hopefully not pretentiously) several times.
One key theme that is so interesting (and pertinent) was the constant tension over jurisdiction of international courts and bodies over sovereign nations. I enjoyed how, throughout learning the Chagossian story, we also got to see an arc developing over how the Hague, ICC, ICJ and the UN has developed over time. Anecdotally, I find that there is often a real binary of perspectives amongst people I’ve heard opine over these bodies. Some venerate them as laudable institutions of world justice, and the other side mock or dismiss them as useless or powerless (and this can be a binary itself: those on the far left who write them off as Western fig leaves, and the US/UK itself ignoring them when they are called out on their atrocity-stained stances!).
Personally, I believe that institutions are only as good as the people who operate within them, and if lawyers like Sands and the thousands similar can put their heads down, keep in sight the bigger picture, and decolonise the very environment of law itself, then I say well done. Like Sands shows, change is a slow but inevitable aspect of human life. I have seen a lot of people dismiss the significance of the rulings this year issued over Israel. Those who stand on the sidelines, or just type behind computer screens dismissing other people’s efforts, reflect only their own lack of being able to walk the talk. A brief plea in general: I wish society would engage in more critical analysis than poor judgement dunking.
I had never really heard of the Chagos Archipelago as being part and parcel of the British Empire, nor did I know about the unlawful detachment, forcible displacement and conversion of these islands into US military bases. The running thread throughout this book is Liseby Elyse, who was forced to leave as a young woman and played a pivotal role in the court proceedings with her first-hand testimony. The story is a classic tale of British colonialism, and Britain’s continual refusal (some of the Conservative governments) to adhere to the rulings is astounding. The new Labour government has signalled their acceptance of the international rulings…
One key theme that is so interesting (and pertinent) was the constant tension over jurisdiction of international courts and bodies over sovereign nations. I enjoyed how, throughout learning the Chagossian story, we also got to see an arc developing over how the Hague, ICC, ICJ and the UN has developed over time. Anecdotally, I find that there is often a real binary of perspectives amongst people I’ve heard opine over these bodies. Some venerate them as laudable institutions of world justice, and the other side mock or dismiss them as useless or powerless (and this can be a binary itself: those on the far left who write them off as Western fig leaves, and the US/UK itself ignoring them when they are called out on their atrocity-stained stances!).
Personally, I believe that institutions are only as good as the people who operate within them, and if lawyers like Sands and the thousands similar can put their heads down, keep in sight the bigger picture, and decolonise the very environment of law itself, then I say well done. Like Sands shows, change is a slow but inevitable aspect of human life. I have seen a lot of people dismiss the significance of the rulings this year issued over Israel. Those who stand on the sidelines, or just type behind computer screens dismissing other people’s efforts, reflect only their own lack of being able to walk the talk. A brief plea in general: I wish society would engage in more critical analysis than poor judgement dunking.
I had never really heard of the Chagos Archipelago as being part and parcel of the British Empire, nor did I know about the unlawful detachment, forcible displacement and conversion of these islands into US military bases. The running thread throughout this book is Liseby Elyse, who was forced to leave as a young woman and played a pivotal role in the court proceedings with her first-hand testimony. The story is a classic tale of British colonialism, and Britain’s continual refusal (some of the Conservative governments) to adhere to the rulings is astounding. The new Labour government has signalled their acceptance of the international rulings…
Read
November 12, 2023Dobry reportaż nie musi być długi - musi być mocny, musi poruszać, musi tak przedstawić temat, który podjął, by czytelnik nie tylko go zrozumiał, ale także poczuł więź ze sprawami, które pozornie są dalekie, odległe od jego "małego świata". OSTATNIA KOLONIA Philippe Sands'a spełnia wszystkie te wymagania. To trudny i ważny głos w sprawie nie międzynarodowej sprawiedliwości - ale tej zwykłej, ludzkiej sprawiedliwości, o którą nieustannie należy walczyć, nawet jeśli czasem ta walka przypomina walkę z wiatrakami.
OSTATNIA KOLONIA JEDNOSTKA PRZECIW IMPERIUM opowiada o przymusowym wysiedleniu mieszkańców jednej z wysp archipelagu Czagos. Główną bohaterką jest Liseby Elyse, która jako młoda kobieta została wyrzucona ze swojego domu i nie wiedziała dlaczego. Wstrząs, jakiego doznała skutkowała nie tylko wysiedleniem, okradzeniem z tego, co najważniejsze - z poczucia bezpieczeństwa, ale także poronieniem. Historia tej kobiety jest poruszająca i straszna, tym bardziej, że decyzję tę podjęły "cywilizowane" kraje, które szczycą się szacunkiem dla życia i wielką tolerancją, oraz walką o prawa człowieka.
Philippe Sands jest narratorem zaangażowanym, jest narratorem uczestniczącym w wydarzeniach, kibicującym i przyjaźniącym się z postacią wiodącą - z Panią Elyse. Zupełnie mi to nie przeszkadza, bo tylko taki reportaż ma szansę coś zmienić, wstrząsnąć czytelnikiem, być świadectwem, a biorąc pod uwagę fakt, że nie ma czegoś takiego, jak "obiektywny" tekst publicystyczny (nie mówimy tu o naukowych, lub wyłącznie informacyjnych - choć i z tym bywa ostatnio słabo... a to akurat źle) to OSTATNIA KOLONIA jest dokładnie taka, jaka być powinna - angażująca.
Świetnie napisana, opowiedziana historia, z przesłaniem, że nigdy nie wolno się poddawać i trzeba walczyć do końca. Można się wzruszyć, bo nawet autor nie kryje łez. Czy świat jest sprawiedliwy? Oczywiście, że nie. Czy państwa "wolne" "demokratyczne", są naprawdę takie - oczywiście, że NIE. OSTATNIA KOLONIA... niestety nie jest OSTATNIA i jak historia pokazuje, dopóki ludzkość będzie na tej Ziemi, będzie też potrzeba walki o swoją wolność i wolność przyszłych pokoleń - wiecznie czujni... tacy musimy być.
wolności się nie dostaje - o wolność się walczy
seria HISTORIAi
bo.wiem
Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
egzemplarz recenzencki
OSTATNIA KOLONIA JEDNOSTKA PRZECIW IMPERIUM opowiada o przymusowym wysiedleniu mieszkańców jednej z wysp archipelagu Czagos. Główną bohaterką jest Liseby Elyse, która jako młoda kobieta została wyrzucona ze swojego domu i nie wiedziała dlaczego. Wstrząs, jakiego doznała skutkowała nie tylko wysiedleniem, okradzeniem z tego, co najważniejsze - z poczucia bezpieczeństwa, ale także poronieniem. Historia tej kobiety jest poruszająca i straszna, tym bardziej, że decyzję tę podjęły "cywilizowane" kraje, które szczycą się szacunkiem dla życia i wielką tolerancją, oraz walką o prawa człowieka.
Philippe Sands jest narratorem zaangażowanym, jest narratorem uczestniczącym w wydarzeniach, kibicującym i przyjaźniącym się z postacią wiodącą - z Panią Elyse. Zupełnie mi to nie przeszkadza, bo tylko taki reportaż ma szansę coś zmienić, wstrząsnąć czytelnikiem, być świadectwem, a biorąc pod uwagę fakt, że nie ma czegoś takiego, jak "obiektywny" tekst publicystyczny (nie mówimy tu o naukowych, lub wyłącznie informacyjnych - choć i z tym bywa ostatnio słabo... a to akurat źle) to OSTATNIA KOLONIA jest dokładnie taka, jaka być powinna - angażująca.
Świetnie napisana, opowiedziana historia, z przesłaniem, że nigdy nie wolno się poddawać i trzeba walczyć do końca. Można się wzruszyć, bo nawet autor nie kryje łez. Czy świat jest sprawiedliwy? Oczywiście, że nie. Czy państwa "wolne" "demokratyczne", są naprawdę takie - oczywiście, że NIE. OSTATNIA KOLONIA... niestety nie jest OSTATNIA i jak historia pokazuje, dopóki ludzkość będzie na tej Ziemi, będzie też potrzeba walki o swoją wolność i wolność przyszłych pokoleń - wiecznie czujni... tacy musimy być.
wolności się nie dostaje - o wolność się walczy
seria HISTORIAi
bo.wiem
Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
egzemplarz recenzencki
June 8, 2025
Thank you to my mum for recommending me this and giving me insight into the recent headlines of Chagos being returned to Mauritius.
A brilliantly written book, that balanced the personal and human story of Britain’s colonial legacy on the Chagos Islands with a detailed analysis of the process of getting an ICJ ruling and the history of international law behind that ruling. Both interesting and digestible, I would recommend to anyone.
A brilliantly written book, that balanced the personal and human story of Britain’s colonial legacy on the Chagos Islands with a detailed analysis of the process of getting an ICJ ruling and the history of international law behind that ruling. Both interesting and digestible, I would recommend to anyone.
August 27, 2025
brilliant as always. he truly is a gift to the world. a generational talent
February 25, 2023
Fantastic book, forensically setting out what a bunch of imperialist arseholes our country has been led by over the past 50 (ok, 400+) years. In an age when colonialism is deeply unfashionable, successive British governments, red and blue, have defended the indefensible in regards to the treatment dished out to the Chagossians. The hypocrisy of the British establishment, in cahoots with the US, Australia and others, whilst lecturing the rest of the world about the rule of law is breathtaking. This arrogance can currently be seen in other areas of law such as the brass-neck defences in the contaminated blood scandal, Grenfell, undercover policing, Hillsborough, Windrush, the Post Office scandal, and so many more. And if you couldn't believe your opinion of Boris Johnson could sink any lower, you are in for a nasty surprise
Sands' book is relatively brief, but succinctly shocking and depressing. I look forward to reading East West Street and The Ratline in due course.
Sands' book is relatively brief, but succinctly shocking and depressing. I look forward to reading East West Street and The Ratline in due course.
January 29, 2024
A fascinating story told a bit dryly, with lots of information about international law, which was interesting because I'm unfamiliar, but distracted from the human aspect perhaps. I wanted this book to have more of a narrative, but it read more like straightforward nonfiction. Nonetheless, a thorough and informative account of a postcolonial situation that is disappointingly modern–the reference to years within my lifetime kept surprising me haha. A very bad look for Britain, but maybe true to form. I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook a lot, as it highlighted the voice of the woman at the heart of Sands' book.
December 30, 2024
Hui, dia de la Constitució de 1978, compartisc una lectura corprenedora de la poca vergonya d'un país, per cert, amb molta més tradició constitucional, i democràtica, que Espanya, el Regne Unit de Gran Bretanya i Irlanda del Nord, responsable de l'imperi colonial més gran de la Humanitat (i dels seus crims, clar) i que, en part, encara continua hui.
Recomanat per la sociòloga i amiga Xus Felipe (gràcies!), he devorat "L'última colònia", de Philippe Sands. D'este autor també recomane, molt i molt, el sensacional (i duríssim) llibre "Calle Este-Oeste", no traduït encara a la nostra llengua ( https://www.anagrama-ed.es/libro/pano... ) i, també (tot i que menys), "Ruta d'escapada" ( https://www.anagrama-ed.es/libro/llib... ).
"L'última colònia" narra la separació de les illes Chagos poc abans de la descolonització de Maurici i l'expulsió de tots els seus habitants oriünds, poc de més d'un miler de persones. Pot semblar pocs, però són més de mil tragèdies, algunes de les quals terminaren en morts (gent que es llançà a la mar en els vaixells de deportació, per posar-ne un cas). A més, fou un tragèdia colonial, racista (per què l'autodeterminació dels blancs de les Malvines sí i la dels "negres" de Chagos no?) arrogant, capritxosa i innecessària. El que passava és que des dels seixanta UK-USA havien establit una base militar en l'illa Diego Garcia i els molestaven la població local en la resta de les illes de l'arxipèlag.
"L'útima colònia" m'ha colpit perquè és una deportació de l'any 1973, quan jo ja estava viu. No parlem, doncs, d'un dels molts sovint exercicis de colonialisme del segle XIX, sinó de fets relativament recents (sí, ja tenim una edat!). De fet, la població encara no han pogut tornar tret d'unes poques visites de cortesia que el govern de sa Majestat va autoritzar.
Combina la narració jurídico-política del procés que dugué a una sentència favorable a la República de Maurici contra el Regne Unit en el Tribunal de l'Haia amb la d'una lluitadora, Liseby Elysé, que sempre volgué tornar a la seua illa, Peros Banhos. No us conte més perquè paga la pena llegir el llibre i emocionar-se amb una història humana que mereix ser escoltada.
Sembla que el Regne Unit retornarà la sobirania de les Chagos a Maurici ( https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98... ), tot i que la base militar de Diego Garcia romandrà dempeus (Maurici, pragmàtica, mai s'ha negat a acordar-ne la continuïtat).
Per cert, la darrera colònia d'Àfrica és el Sàhara Occidental, que no es va descolonitzar per les ambicions marroquines, d'una banda, i, sobretot, per la imperícia d'Espanya del final del franquisme, que ha continuat amb els governs d'UCD, PSOE i PP i que manté desenes de milers de refugiats saharuis en el desert d'Algèria alhora que Marroc ocupa l'antiga colònia espanyola. El dia de la sacralitzada Constitució també és un bon moment per a recordar la també poca vergonya del Regne d'Espanya actual.
Un encert l'edició d'Editorial Anagrama i latraducció d'Ariadna Pous. Si teniu ocasió, llegiu-lo (i, si podeu, compreu-lo en alguna llibreria. Jo el vaig adquirir en l'estimada Llibreria Fan Set).
#elsmeusllibres #llibresenvalencià #llibresencatalà
Recomanat per la sociòloga i amiga Xus Felipe (gràcies!), he devorat "L'última colònia", de Philippe Sands. D'este autor també recomane, molt i molt, el sensacional (i duríssim) llibre "Calle Este-Oeste", no traduït encara a la nostra llengua ( https://www.anagrama-ed.es/libro/pano... ) i, també (tot i que menys), "Ruta d'escapada" ( https://www.anagrama-ed.es/libro/llib... ).
"L'última colònia" narra la separació de les illes Chagos poc abans de la descolonització de Maurici i l'expulsió de tots els seus habitants oriünds, poc de més d'un miler de persones. Pot semblar pocs, però són més de mil tragèdies, algunes de les quals terminaren en morts (gent que es llançà a la mar en els vaixells de deportació, per posar-ne un cas). A més, fou un tragèdia colonial, racista (per què l'autodeterminació dels blancs de les Malvines sí i la dels "negres" de Chagos no?) arrogant, capritxosa i innecessària. El que passava és que des dels seixanta UK-USA havien establit una base militar en l'illa Diego Garcia i els molestaven la població local en la resta de les illes de l'arxipèlag.
"L'útima colònia" m'ha colpit perquè és una deportació de l'any 1973, quan jo ja estava viu. No parlem, doncs, d'un dels molts sovint exercicis de colonialisme del segle XIX, sinó de fets relativament recents (sí, ja tenim una edat!). De fet, la població encara no han pogut tornar tret d'unes poques visites de cortesia que el govern de sa Majestat va autoritzar.
Combina la narració jurídico-política del procés que dugué a una sentència favorable a la República de Maurici contra el Regne Unit en el Tribunal de l'Haia amb la d'una lluitadora, Liseby Elysé, que sempre volgué tornar a la seua illa, Peros Banhos. No us conte més perquè paga la pena llegir el llibre i emocionar-se amb una història humana que mereix ser escoltada.
Sembla que el Regne Unit retornarà la sobirania de les Chagos a Maurici ( https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98... ), tot i que la base militar de Diego Garcia romandrà dempeus (Maurici, pragmàtica, mai s'ha negat a acordar-ne la continuïtat).
Per cert, la darrera colònia d'Àfrica és el Sàhara Occidental, que no es va descolonitzar per les ambicions marroquines, d'una banda, i, sobretot, per la imperícia d'Espanya del final del franquisme, que ha continuat amb els governs d'UCD, PSOE i PP i que manté desenes de milers de refugiats saharuis en el desert d'Algèria alhora que Marroc ocupa l'antiga colònia espanyola. El dia de la sacralitzada Constitució també és un bon moment per a recordar la també poca vergonya del Regne d'Espanya actual.
Un encert l'edició d'Editorial Anagrama i latraducció d'Ariadna Pous. Si teniu ocasió, llegiu-lo (i, si podeu, compreu-lo en alguna llibreria. Jo el vaig adquirir en l'estimada Llibreria Fan Set).
#elsmeusllibres #llibresenvalencià #llibresencatalà
November 17, 2024
Une histoire qui souligne le colonialisme britannique moderne aux Îles Chagos qui s’inscrit dans la continuité de l’empire. C’est un cas spécifique qui avait le potentiel d’élargir ma compréhension de l’héritage colonial. C’est plutôt resté dans le spécifique. Au moins j’en ai appris sur un coin du monde qui m’était inconnu.
April 22, 2023
3.5 stars
October 8, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
moest dit boek lezen voor een presentatie voor m’n master. de schrijfstijl is eerder een opsomming van jurisprudentie. had oprecht bijna beter dat kunnen lezen. wel interessant onderwerp. ik wist eigenlijk helemaal niets over chagos
moest dit boek lezen voor een presentatie voor m’n master. de schrijfstijl is eerder een opsomming van jurisprudentie. had oprecht bijna beter dat kunnen lezen. wel interessant onderwerp. ik wist eigenlijk helemaal niets over chagos
January 23, 2023
A must read to understand the duplicitous, underhand, manipulative and knowingly deceitful manner in which the U.K. and US governments lied to the public about their intentions in relation to the Chagos Archipelago and the forced removal of 1,500 people.
The Last Colony is a reminder to question the sound bites issued by the politicians and media - start from the premise that they have a hidden agenda. International laws and treaties were clearly simply a nuisance for both governments to be overcome. The UK's attempts at self-justification and deceit are completely and systematically exposed by the author and his team of researchers. The research is so extensive and detailed that the book requires re-reading and much mark-up to remind the reader of the many obstacles encountered and resolutions achieved.
No doubt government by deceit continues today and only diligence on our part can expose and contain it (power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely).
The Last Colony should be a constant reminder of potential abuse of power and lack of principles adopted to achieve immoral objectives.
As Plilippe Sands cites - A civilization that plays fast and loose with it's principles is a dying civilization.
(Aime Cesaire, Discours sur le colonialism, 1955 - trans, 2000)
The Last Colony is a reminder to question the sound bites issued by the politicians and media - start from the premise that they have a hidden agenda. International laws and treaties were clearly simply a nuisance for both governments to be overcome. The UK's attempts at self-justification and deceit are completely and systematically exposed by the author and his team of researchers. The research is so extensive and detailed that the book requires re-reading and much mark-up to remind the reader of the many obstacles encountered and resolutions achieved.
No doubt government by deceit continues today and only diligence on our part can expose and contain it (power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely).
The Last Colony should be a constant reminder of potential abuse of power and lack of principles adopted to achieve immoral objectives.
As Plilippe Sands cites - A civilization that plays fast and loose with it's principles is a dying civilization.
(Aime Cesaire, Discours sur le colonialism, 1955 - trans, 2000)
February 6, 2024
Muy, muy interesante. Lo desconocía todo sobre la independencia de las Islas Mauricio y sobre la usurpación del archipiélago de Chagos por los británicos, la expulsión y el maltrato de toda su población y la base naval americana. Ese desdén del Imperio Británico hacia otras culturas y su desprecio al derecho internacional junto a los EEUU, da pie a pocas esperanzas... Necesito un resumen sobre los organismos internacionales
May 6, 2025
Really eye-opening read. The Last Colony dives into a piece of international politics and colonial history I honestly had no clue about — and it managed to be both informative and engaging throughout.
Even though it touches on some legal terms and processes, it’s surprisingly accessible. You might lose a few technical details here and there, but the main logic is easy to follow. I especially appreciated how it helped me understand more clearly the role of institutions like the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg, and the United Nations General Assembly.
One thing that stood out to me — and this might just be personal taste — is that for a non-fiction book, it felt quite emotionally charged. Not in a manipulative way, and the author is very upfront about his own involvement and perspective, but I found myself wishing at times for a slightly more neutral tone, especially when dealing with the facts of such a serious legal and historical issue. Still, all the key events and court decisions are laid out clearly, so you can definitely conduct your own research and form your own opinion.
What really stuck with me, though, is how this book shines a light on a situation that’s still unresolved today. It made me want to dig deeper into both this specific case and the broader legacy of colonialism. It’s a reminder that staying informed on these topics is part of our collective responsibility.
Definitely worth the read if you’re into global justice, human rights, or modern colonial legacies.
Even though it touches on some legal terms and processes, it’s surprisingly accessible. You might lose a few technical details here and there, but the main logic is easy to follow. I especially appreciated how it helped me understand more clearly the role of institutions like the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg, and the United Nations General Assembly.
One thing that stood out to me — and this might just be personal taste — is that for a non-fiction book, it felt quite emotionally charged. Not in a manipulative way, and the author is very upfront about his own involvement and perspective, but I found myself wishing at times for a slightly more neutral tone, especially when dealing with the facts of such a serious legal and historical issue. Still, all the key events and court decisions are laid out clearly, so you can definitely conduct your own research and form your own opinion.
What really stuck with me, though, is how this book shines a light on a situation that’s still unresolved today. It made me want to dig deeper into both this specific case and the broader legacy of colonialism. It’s a reminder that staying informed on these topics is part of our collective responsibility.
Definitely worth the read if you’re into global justice, human rights, or modern colonial legacies.
September 27, 2025
Un acto más de piratería y deshumanización por parte de los ingleses. Quienes luego de apropiarse de las islas del archipiélago de Chagos, obligan a los habitantes de Peros Banhos a reubicarse en Mauricio.
Esas tierras fueron cedidas a EEUU para que desarrollen allí una de las tantas bases militares que poseen a lo largo y ancho del planeta.
A los nativos se los introdujo a la fuerza en barcos, separando familias, abandonando sus hogares y pertenencias. Los despojan de lo más importante, su identidad.
Sands forma parte del equipo de abogados que lleva está problemática ante los tribunales internacionales. Detalla la vida de Liseby Elysé, quien pese a haber sufrido el desarraigo y la violencia de los colonizadores, sigue perseverando en la búsqueda de justicia con el único objetivo de volver a su tierra natal.
Una lectura que suena familiar para quienes somos de países que han padecido y siguen padeciendo el robo de tierras por parte de las potencias colonizadoras.
Esas tierras fueron cedidas a EEUU para que desarrollen allí una de las tantas bases militares que poseen a lo largo y ancho del planeta.
A los nativos se los introdujo a la fuerza en barcos, separando familias, abandonando sus hogares y pertenencias. Los despojan de lo más importante, su identidad.
Sands forma parte del equipo de abogados que lleva está problemática ante los tribunales internacionales. Detalla la vida de Liseby Elysé, quien pese a haber sufrido el desarraigo y la violencia de los colonizadores, sigue perseverando en la búsqueda de justicia con el único objetivo de volver a su tierra natal.
Una lectura que suena familiar para quienes somos de países que han padecido y siguen padeciendo el robo de tierras por parte de las potencias colonizadoras.
August 27, 2022
Started this last night and finished it this evening. A really rate “living” glimpse into cases at the Hague peace palace, and into a story I knew so little about. It brought back happy memories for me of learning a little about self determination in international law for a long ago moot court. It was accessible and yet not dumbed down as to the procedural obstacles the Chagos Islanders face and still face. How fortunate to have had a humane, reflective counsel in Sands and his team. If I taught Intl law this would be recommended reading. But you don’t need to be lawyer to understand it, and the forever impacts of (illegal, wrong and wrong headed) decisions on peoples lives.
Loved it, not too long either. Highly recommend
Loved it, not too long either. Highly recommend
May 28, 2023
En bok om jus, kolonialisering og om hvordan Storbrittania tviholder på retten til å være big ass imperalists men ender opp med å være en historisk drittsekk.
En av få bøker som klamrer seg fast helt på toppen av min liste med bøker jeg ikke ville vært foruten, sammen med Peter Mathiesens African Silences og Edward Gargans A year on The Mekong. Bøker som åpner hele ukjente verdener.
En av få bøker som klamrer seg fast helt på toppen av min liste med bøker jeg ikke ville vært foruten, sammen med Peter Mathiesens African Silences og Edward Gargans A year on The Mekong. Bøker som åpner hele ukjente verdener.
July 18, 2024
Philippe Sands es simplemente cojonudo. Quedé maravillado con su libro Calle Este-Oeste, y aquí ha vuelto a publicar otra joya. No me esperaba algo tan bueno, otra vez. Ojalá no dejes de escribir nunca, colega.
September 8, 2023
Depressing and powerful account of an absolute scandal that shames every British government since Wilson. Just flagrant violation of international law, and a crime against humanity.
October 21, 2024
I’ve been fascinated with the UK’s history with the Chagos Islands in the British Indian Ocean Territory since I found out a year or so ago that my neighbour is the son of Chagossians who were evicted from the island of Diego Garcia in the late 60s or early 70s. His father and grandfather had a successful business managing a palm oil plantation and they had everything they needed and lived comfortably in a tropical paradise. They did not want to leave. They were rehoused in Crawley. The other islands in the archipelago were also cleared of all people. Some went to Mauritius and others were also brought to Crawley. A group of Chagossians who were in Mauritius visiting family were simply told they weren’t going home. I knew nothing about this aspect of our colonial history - which happened in my lifetime - before my neighbour told me his family’s story. After the Chagos Islands were returned to Mauritius recently, another conversation with another friend - a former Falkland Islander - led me to Philippe Sands book. I listened to it on audible and it was certainly interesting and clarified the history and answered a lot of questions. It was mainly about Sands as an international lawyer representing the Chagossians and taking their case, on behalf of the government of Mauritius, to the International Court of Justice. The result was a victory in that the Chagos Islands were ceded to Mauritius and that the people who once lived there would have the right to return home, should they wish to do so. However there is also the complication of an American airbase. This joint UK/US base was the reason everyone was removed from the archipelago in the first place. Little is known about its activities however there is evidence that this remote and inaccessible location was used for rendition in the aftermath of 9/11. The Conservative government took the ICJ’s ruling as advice rather than instruction. However the Labour Party, then in opposition, pledged to uphold the ruling and return the islands and allow resettlement. And indeed it should be said that movement in this direction had been initiated by the foreign secretary James Cleverly during the Conservative administration. This book was published before the Conservative Party lost the May 2024 election to Labour and now the Chagos Islands have been returned to Mauritius on the grounds of the ruling and that there is no place for colonialism in the modern world.
It has been agreed that the US base will remain on Diego Garcia and so it looks like there will be no possibility of a return to resettle that particular island.
I would very much recommend the audio- book version of this book. It is read by the author Phillipe Sands and Adjoa Andoh who relates the story of the Chagossians and particularly that of Liseby Elysée whom Sands worked with as a representative of the Chagossians in exile. This is an excellent production and shows just how effective audio-books can be.
It has been agreed that the US base will remain on Diego Garcia and so it looks like there will be no possibility of a return to resettle that particular island.
I would very much recommend the audio- book version of this book. It is read by the author Phillipe Sands and Adjoa Andoh who relates the story of the Chagossians and particularly that of Liseby Elysée whom Sands worked with as a representative of the Chagossians in exile. This is an excellent production and shows just how effective audio-books can be.
March 6, 2025
Essential reading for anyone interested in international law, British imperialism and the manufacturing of fake news in the modern day.
On 3rd October 2024 the new UK Labour government announced it was handing the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius. However, the word 'back' was not included. What followed, from my own perspective was an awful lot of hand wringing around this proposed deal, about the right to self determination for the Chagossians, their lack of involvement in deciding the deal for themselves and Mauritius' false claim to sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. Were it not for a college recommending this book, I would have happily gone on thing this one of those ambiguous areas of decolonisation, where nobody really comes away any better for it.
The reality is that the Chagos Islands were a dependancy of the Mauritius, originally under French control until ceded to Britain in 1814. The Chagos Islands continued to be a part of Mauritius until 1965, when Britain illegally created the 'British Indian Ocean Territory' whilst granting Mauritius an incomplete independence. Between 1967 and 1973, the population of these atolls were forcibly removed in what is increasingly being considered a 'crime against humanity'. Meagre efforts were made to compensate the displaced population, that has repeatedly been judged inadequate by international courts.
Philippe Sands tells a brief and detailed history of the legal efforts Mauritius has gone to in order to complete their own independence, as well as the extensive lengths Britain has gone to prevent that from happening. It begins in 1945, through key years in the development of international law, concluding in 2019 with an epilogue in February 2022.
My favourite thing about Sands' writing is that he is clear, technical and not boring. This style suits my taste, and works well in the context of 5 parts concentrating on complicated legal arguments. Sands' frames the book with Madame Elysé, one of the many displaced residents of Peros Banhos, appearing at the ICJ in 2019 to put forward her people's argument that they have a right to return to their home. One fascinating part of the book was how much international relations informs the operation of international law. Whether or not Britain is able too secure a judicial appointment on the ICJ, how convincingly Britain could argue against Mauritus' claim and the international attitudes towards decolonisation as whole, play crucial roles in every chapter to determine Britains continuing hold over the Chagos Islands.
It is a brilliant book. Well argued, insightful and incredibly relevant to today. It is worth picking up for everyone who is interested.
On 3rd October 2024 the new UK Labour government announced it was handing the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius. However, the word 'back' was not included. What followed, from my own perspective was an awful lot of hand wringing around this proposed deal, about the right to self determination for the Chagossians, their lack of involvement in deciding the deal for themselves and Mauritius' false claim to sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. Were it not for a college recommending this book, I would have happily gone on thing this one of those ambiguous areas of decolonisation, where nobody really comes away any better for it.
The reality is that the Chagos Islands were a dependancy of the Mauritius, originally under French control until ceded to Britain in 1814. The Chagos Islands continued to be a part of Mauritius until 1965, when Britain illegally created the 'British Indian Ocean Territory' whilst granting Mauritius an incomplete independence. Between 1967 and 1973, the population of these atolls were forcibly removed in what is increasingly being considered a 'crime against humanity'. Meagre efforts were made to compensate the displaced population, that has repeatedly been judged inadequate by international courts.
Philippe Sands tells a brief and detailed history of the legal efforts Mauritius has gone to in order to complete their own independence, as well as the extensive lengths Britain has gone to prevent that from happening. It begins in 1945, through key years in the development of international law, concluding in 2019 with an epilogue in February 2022.
My favourite thing about Sands' writing is that he is clear, technical and not boring. This style suits my taste, and works well in the context of 5 parts concentrating on complicated legal arguments. Sands' frames the book with Madame Elysé, one of the many displaced residents of Peros Banhos, appearing at the ICJ in 2019 to put forward her people's argument that they have a right to return to their home. One fascinating part of the book was how much international relations informs the operation of international law. Whether or not Britain is able too secure a judicial appointment on the ICJ, how convincingly Britain could argue against Mauritus' claim and the international attitudes towards decolonisation as whole, play crucial roles in every chapter to determine Britains continuing hold over the Chagos Islands.
It is a brilliant book. Well argued, insightful and incredibly relevant to today. It is worth picking up for everyone who is interested.
March 7, 2024
No sabía nada de la historia de Peros Banhos ni del archipiélago de Chagos, en general, y en este sentido me pareció un libro interesantísimo que me dejó con ganas de aprender más. También me resultó fascinante y aterrador a la vez el paseo geopolítico en el que nos embarca el autor.
Colonias, bases americanas, unas mil vidas que valen tan poco como para arrancarlas de sus tierras y moverlas donde no nos molesten. Así, sin más. Y durante los más de 40 años que han pasado desde entonces, poca o ninguna reflexión/arrepentimiento al respecto por parte de los ejecutores.
Pero, para mi gusto, el libro da demasiados datos y repite un poco el argumento, lo cual hace que a veces se haga algo pesado de leer. Para mí habría sido perfecto si hubiera resumido más el relato, como un monográfico largo de un artículo del New Yorker, por ejemplo.
Colonias, bases americanas, unas mil vidas que valen tan poco como para arrancarlas de sus tierras y moverlas donde no nos molesten. Así, sin más. Y durante los más de 40 años que han pasado desde entonces, poca o ninguna reflexión/arrepentimiento al respecto por parte de los ejecutores.
Pero, para mi gusto, el libro da demasiados datos y repite un poco el argumento, lo cual hace que a veces se haga algo pesado de leer. Para mí habría sido perfecto si hubiera resumido más el relato, como un monográfico largo de un artículo del New Yorker, por ejemplo.
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