Jemmy Simon
Chagossian Activist
Who is Jemmy Simon?
Jemmy Simon is a Chagossian activist based in the United Kingdom, part of the sizeable Chagossian diaspora community descended from the population forcibly expelled from the Chagos Archipelago by the United Kingdom between 1968 and 1973 to build a US military base on Diego Garcia. She has spoken publicly and to international press about the exclusion of Chagossians from decisions over their own homeland's future, including during the negotiation and aftermath of the 2024-2025 UK-Mauritius sovereignty agreement, arguing that the Chagossian community's status as the indigenous people of the islands has been treated as secondary to the interests of the UK, US, and Mauritian governments. She has framed the Chagossian relationship to the islands as one of stewardship, describing her community as the custodians of the land, and has stated a willingness to protest publicly outside the UK Parliament in Westminster until Chagossian voices are included in decisions affecting their homeland. Detailed public biographical information about her early life is not extensively documented in available sources beyond her role as a vocal advocate for the UK-based Chagossian community.
Sources: "Chagossians Want a Say as UK-Mauritius Deal Faces Fresh Scrutiny," Reuters / U.S. News & World Report, 10 December 2024