Restore BOT Status: Declare 1968 Mauritius Independence Illegal

Rejected 17 signatures

What the petition asks

Recognize the 1968 Independence Act as void due to the unauthorized trade of Chagos and the ignored 1967 Rodrigues vote (97.3% to stay British). We demand the UK restore Mauritius, Chagos, and Rodrigues as a British Overseas Territory (BOT) until a legal vote with full consent is conducted.

The 1968 independence was built on illegal acts that violated the Law of Dependencies. In 1965, the Premier traded Chagos without a mandate from the people, breaching the Colonial Laws Validity Act 1865. In 1967, the 97.3% vote in Rodrigues to remain British was forcibly ignored. These actions make the 1968 transition void for lack of consent. Restoring BOT status is necessary to uphold the Rule of Law and provide the protection of the Crown to the people of Mauritius, Chagos, and Rodrigues.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

Making Mauritius and Rodrigues a British Overseas Territory (BOT) would be a matter for the Mauritian Government to decide, and not something the UK Government or Parliament could unilaterally do.

Timeline

21 Jan 2026	Petition opened for signatures
30 Mar 2026	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 17

Status Rejected

Rejected 30 Mar 2026

Follow this petition