Unexpected Parliamentary defeat gives new hope to Gurkha campaign
There has been a partial victory for thousands of Gurkhas. Following a cross-party backlash against Government proposals to allow settlement to only a minority of Gurkha veterans in the UK PCS culture sector members, including former Gurkhas and retired members attended a lobby of Parliament to protest against the Home Office’s decision to refuse settlement to a number of retired Gurkha soldiers.
Despite a High Court ruling last year, the government was still planning to press ahead with legislation which would have meant that only a small percentage of Gurkha veterans who retired from service before 1997, would have been granted rights to stay in the UK.
Many Gurkha veterans live in the UK, often working in low paid jobs. The PCS culture sector has a number of members who are Gurkha veterans.
Some, along with their families face the real possibility of being kicked out of the country which they have diligently served.
Thousands of Gurkhas have lost their lives or suffered severe disfigurement as a result of fighting in the British Army.
To quote one ex soldier: ‘Gurkhas are not seeking special treatment, just equal treatment’. One recent case highlights just how acute the situation has become.
A Gurkha serving in Iraq was severely injured. His wife flew to Iraq from Britain to be with him. On returning to the UK however she was denied entry.
Under the discharge bill, Gurkha veterans and their families would face a new war. A war with immigration officials and police, ordered to beat down their doors during dawn raids and deport many of these men and their families to Nepal.
Sharon Spinos, PCS branch secretary at the Victoria and Albert museum and Gurkha campaigner says:
“I currently represent a number of Gurkha veterans who work at the museum. I am also the daughter of a veteran serviceman, indeed, three generations of my family have had the honour to work alongside these brave men; men currently being treated so disgracefully by this Government.
“Nothing can justify the disgusting response to the dignified request of these steadfast men to reside in the country they have served so well and with such loyalty for so long.
“How can one of the world’s richest nations expect such sacrifice from one of the world’s poorest? No Gurkha should have to beg our country for anything, they deserve everything we can give, and earned it long ago. We have won small battles, but we have yet to win the war.”
Let’s hope that this parliamentary defeat will force the Government to see sense, and award settlement rights to all Gurkha veterans and their families.
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