Events

GIS - June 04, 2012: The Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK, FRCP left Mauritius yesterday for the United Kingdom on an official mission. He will have a tête à tête with the British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, at 10 Downing Street to discuss, amongst others, the sovereignty of Mauritius over the Chagos archipelago and piracy.

During his visit  the Prime Minister  will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Great Britain on the conditions of transfer of suspected pirates and seized property to Mauritius.

The MoU defines the conditions and modalities for the transfer of persons suspected of attempting to commit, committing or having committed acts of piracy, and captured and detained by UK Forces in the proximity of the territorial seas of Mauritius, the transfer of associated property seized by UK Forces as well as the treatment of the transferred persons.

No transferred person will be charged with an offence that carries a death penalty, be sentenced to death or be subject of an application of the death penalty in accordance with the Mauritius’ Abolition of Death Penalty Act.

This MoU will reinforce the efforts of Mauritius to counter piracy in the region. Mauritius will set up a special tribunal for the prosecution of Somali pirates.

Dr Ramgoolam will also attend Queen Elizabeth’s diamond  jubilee celebrations.