The UK government has offered dozens of stranded Tamil migrants in a camp on a secretive UK-US military island in the Indian Ocean a temporary move to Romania, with the possibility of being relocated to the UK after six months. The migrants, who claimed asylum after their boat ran into trouble in 2021, faced legal disputes due to the territory’s unique status. British officials made offers to different individuals, including transfers to a safe center in Romania for those with approved protection claims, and financial incentives for voluntary return to Sri Lanka for others.
The camp, where migrants are living in poor conditions, has raised concerns from UN and Red Cross representatives over safety and mental health issues. Despite restrictions by US and British authorities, the BBC gained access to the island for a court hearing. The Tamils are now faced with the decision of either moving to Romania or returning to Sri Lanka, highlighting the ongoing struggles of these migrants seeking asylum in a complex and challenging situation.
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