Wednesday 9 January 2013

Olivier Bancoult Statement January 2013

Dear Friends & Supporters

First of all,

Happy New Year 2013 and best wishes to you and your family. It's with great pleasure and determination that I want to start this year on a positive note as it is a very special year because it is our 30th anniversaries of the existence of our group CRG from 1983 to 2013.

We have marked our presence on behalf of our Chagossian Community and as we have always said our struggle is our pride and we believe in what we do.

We cannot not rest on our laurels; we will pave ahead and shall definitely achieve our goal irrespective of the setbacks from the ECHR and the White House petition.

Our focus is on the future, we will never give up!

This is why we have been fully engaged in defining and consolidating our aims. Our team is increasing and more people shall be involved both natives and younger generation; responsibilities will be shared and committees will be created to look into each issue.

People will be given responsibilities and be in charge of an event during which they can bring their contribution for our 30th birthday.

(1)   Exhibition to make our existence since 1983.
(2)   Launching of a book “Blessure d'exile''
(3)   Launching of a CD all songs of base on Chagossians with
       the permission of the authors.
(4)   International conference on Chagos, the way forward.
(5)   Foot ball Tournament.
(6)   A fund raising activities.

Brothers & Sisters, we need to be more involved as our fundamental  rights are important, day by day, people who believe in justice and who condemn violation of human rights worldwide are joining us to bring their supports to correct the wrongs done to us, we need to be more focus on awareness raising.

We shall definitely succeed with your support and the blessings of our ancestors. Indeed, how can we forget that in 2012 we also lost Charlesia Alexis and Lisette Talate, who dedicated their whole lives to our struggle? I am confident that we shall make them proud. 

We are more than ever stronger today and justice shall ultimately prevail.

Olivier Bancoult, OSK
Chairman CRG