All former Gurkhas who have served for four years with the British army and wish to live in the United Kingdom will be allowed to do so, the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, announced today.
In a reversal of previous guidelines that prevented all but a small number of Gurkhas being granted the right to settlement in the UK, Smith said: "Generations of Gurkhas have served the United Kingdom with great courage, sacrifice and distinction and they continue to make a vital and valued contribution to our operations around the world.
"We respect the will of the House of Commons on this issue and that is why I have now announced a new policy, the basis of which we have worked on with the home affairs select committee and Gurkha representatives. This means we can now welcome any Gurkha who has served for four years or more to settle in the UK."
Showing posts with label gurkhas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gurkhas. Show all posts
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Gurkhas granted right to settle in the UK
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Gurkha's win Case to Stay in England
A group of retired Gurkhas have won their right to stay in England and receive their citizenship. The Home Office policy of refusing to give citizenship to Gurkhas who served before 1997 was ruled unlawful by the judge presiding over the case.
It shouldn't matter when or where the Gurkha's were stationed or fought, they should be given automatic citizen for putting their lives at risk for England.
....
A group of retired Gurkhas fighting for the right to settle in Britain have won their immigration test case at London's High Court.
They were challenging immigration rules which said that those who retired from the British Army before 1997 did not have an automatic right to stay.
Prominent supporter actress Joanna Lumley said it was a "chance to right a great wrong".
The government said it would now review all Gurkhas' cases. The regiment moved its main base from Hong Kong to the UK in 1997 and the government had argued that Gurkhas discharged before that date were unlikely to have strong residential ties with the UK.
That meant those who wanted to settle in the UK had to apply for British residence and could be refused and deported.
The judgement could affect some 2,000 former Gurkhas who retired before 1997.
The judge, Mr Justice Blake, said the Gurkhas' long service, conspicuous acts of bravery and loyalty to the Crown all pointed to a "moral debt of honour" and gratitude felt by British people.
He ruled that instructions given by the Home Office to immigration officials were unlawful and needed urgent revision.
Lawyer Martin Howe said: "Today we have seen a tremendous and historic victory for the gallant Gurkha veterans of Nepal.
"This is a victory that restores honour and dignity to deserving soldiers who faithfully served in Her Majesty's armed forces.
"It is a victory for common sense; a victory for fairness; and a victory for the British sense of what is right."
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