16:26 

UK has leased Diego Garcia to US until 2036 as an "essential" military base. ICJ advisory opinion is "not legally binding". Urges states to abstain or vote no. Maldives now takes the floor

16:29 

UK says Chagos is a “bi-lateral territorial dispute.”

Claims ICJ has overstepped its mandate by intervening in a dispute without consent of both states.

Warns other states about precedent this will create.

UK base on Chagos makes contribution to 'international peace and security,' she says. 

16:28 

UK rep rejects Mauritian PM's allegation that UK was involved in "crimes against humanity" - says this is a very serious allegation and should not be repeated.

UK rep claims the country respects decolonisation: "We are very conscious of our own history."

16:26

UK rep now turns to islanders, says Britain expresses "sincere regret" and UK has looked "very closely at question of resettlement" - was not feasible because of defence and cost.

But Britain is commited to improving the islanders lives where they now live, including a $50m support package. 

16:22

UK rep at UN says Chagos matters because of proximity to Indian ocean sea lanes - Hormuz, Malacca, Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb, Suez.

UK will cede Chagos "when no longer needed for defence purposes", which she has already outlined, and as already agreed in 1965 with Mauritius

16:21

UK rep says a lot of trade flows between Strait of Malacca and Aden ("1/8th world trade passing annually"), most strategically important shipping zones in the world.

US-UK defence facility "does keep countries safe and secure ... vital to combat terrorism"

16:19

Voting for resolution would send a "Clear signal to the world that colonialism can no longer be tolerated", Mauritian PM now hands floor to UK's representative.

16:17

Resolution's six month time limit for termination of colonial administration "more than sufficient" - UK administration on Chagos provides "no services whatsoever...This kind of skeletal administration can be terminated very rapidly".

16:12

Mauritius PM tells UN: "Colonial power must end its occupation of chagos" - failure to do so is "Nothing less than an endorsement of colonialism". Says forcible eviction "remains a very dark episode of human history akin to a crime against humanity.

"These Mauritian nationals, now mostly in their 70s and 80s, have systematically been prevented from returning to their place of birth". Says he would implement resettlement programme unlike UK. ICJ opinion was 'glimmer of hope' for Chagos Islanders”

16:10

Prime Minister of Mauritius slams UK disregard for international law at UN General Assembly debate on occupation of Chagos Islands.

"Every state, including the UK, is obligated to comply with international law".

ICJ is "highest judicial body in UN system," he says.

1558:

"High respect that we have in Mauritius for the UK as a champion of the rule of law" - Mauritius is "extremely disappointed ... as is Her Majesty's leader of the opposition".

"IT FEELS LIKE WE ARE BACK IN 1965" - says UK repeating arguments ICJ rejected, more aggressively than ever before. (Mauritian PM was noting Jeremy Corbyn's support for International Court of Justice opinion on Chagos)

15:55

Issue of resettlement on Chagos is a human rights matter, Mauritian leader tells UN. Wrongful act under international law that the colonial power has commited - and UK maintaining Chagos as a "colony" ever since. UK should "hasten to make amends"

15:53 

Mauritius PM: Court said UK is under obligation to complete decolonisation of Mauritius. Says ICJ opinion is "clear and unambiguous, leaves no room for other conclusions, it is decisive". Says Mauritius was "dismembered" in 1965

15:47

Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth now addressing UN General Assembly over UK occupation of Chagos Islands. Call's ICJ opinion "landmark". Deconolonisation of Mauritius has not been completed, until Mauritius has sovereignty of Chagos

15:46

Venezuela says Chagos was illegally removed from territory of Mauritius by former colonial power (UK) in violation of international law.

Venezuela/NAM says UK has prevented Chagos Islanders "from exercising right to return". Calls on UK to "bring an end asap to its occupation of Chagos Islands ... [and] expeditious conclusion to the decolonisation process of Mauritius"

15:41:

Senegal urges members to support resolution "To assist Africa in overcoming the traumas of a colonial past". Hands floor to Venezuala as chair of Non-Alligned Movement.

15:38:

"For a very long time now Africa has been the victim of colonisation and slavery ... unfinished decolonisation process is not compatible with UN and international law" - Senegal tells UN

15:33:

Senegal opens the UN General Assembly debate about UK occupation of Chagos Islands, on behalf of group of African states

13:00

Speaking to the Morning Star ahead of today's debate, Britain's leading foreign policy expert Mark Curtis said: “The Chagos islands are a British occupied territory and reveal the reality of the government’s claim to support a ‘rules based international order’. It doesn’t.

“In this and many other cases, the British elite believes it has the right to make the rules that suit it and ignore those that do not."

Mr Curtis is one of the few independent experts to have analysed the declassified British goverment files about it depopulation of the Chagos Islands.

You can read more of his research here