Around 60 Sri Lankan Tamils, who have been stranded on the remote Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia for more than three years,have been relocated to the UK.
The migrants, who had been living in dire conditions, are now allowed to remain in the UK for six months, with financial support provided by the Foreign Office.
A UK government spokesperson referred to the move as a “one-off” decision, emphasizing the exceptional nature of the cases and the government’s focus on the migrants' welfare. “This government inherited a deeply troubling situation that remained unresolved under the last administration for years,” the spokesperson added.
The migrants had endured a series of harrowing conditions on Diego Garcia, with reports of multiple hunger strikes, self-harm incidents, and suicide attempts. Medical transfers to Rwanda for treatment were carried out for some individuals. In addition to these struggles, there have been allegations of sexual assault and harassment within the camp.
The UK government’s decision marks a significant step in addressing the prolonged and controversial situation on Diego Garcia, where the migrants had been isolated for years under harsh circumstances.
