Three Sri Lankan migrants who are currently imprisoned on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia will serve the remainder of their sentences in Montserrat, the premier has confirmed.
The transfer of the prisoners is part of the United Kingdom’s recent proposal to return its remote overseas territory, the Chagos Islands, back to Mauritius.
Another 60 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, who have been living on the island for over three years, will be offered the option of relocating to the United Kingdom, the BBC reported earlier this month.
Meanwhile, in the agreement, which is yet to be finalised, the joint US-UK military base located on Diego Garcia will be allowed to remain in place for at least 99 years.
Premier Reuben Meade said the UK previously asked the Government of Montserrat if the island could host three prisoners, and “we have consented”.
It would be difficult for them to go to the UK because they would become “trapped” in the UK system, he told journalist Mike Jarvis during an interview on 23 November.
“Apparently, there was a discussion with the previous premier, and he said yes. Because he had said yes, it would not be right for us to say no,” he continued.
“And our position is, you scratch my back, I scratch yours.
“So what is in it for Montserrat? I can’t disclose that, but what I can assure you is that those prisoners, once they have served their sentences, they will have to leave Montserrat.
“And that’s an assurance which I have asked them for in writing.”
The nature and length of the sentences, along with details of the identity of the prisoners has not yet been released.
