Skip to main content

Open petition: Recognise Chagossian community as a distinct category in official UK statistics

Created by Marie PIERRE
Closes on

Many Chagossians are former residents of the British Indian Ocean Territory, removed in the 1960s–70s. The UK recognises them as a community while stating there is no permanent population. We call for formal recognition as a distinct ethnic group in UK official statistics.

Chagossians were removed from the British Indian Ocean Territory in the 1960s–70s and share a distinct history, culture and identity. We believe that formal recognition in official UK statistics would ensure coherence across legislation, policy and public administration, including official classification and status.

Sign this petition

26 signatures


Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 8 December 2026.