Gurkhas Still Struggle to Live in the UK

THE GURKHA
SOLDIER
Bravest of the brave,
most generous of the generous,
never had country
more faithful friends
than you.
Professor Sir Ralph Turner MC

So then why does the UK immigration dept continue to stifle and hinder these brave men who have fought for the UK and now want to live in the UK?

I have written about this before and I do not know what else to say but to reaffirm my desire as a British citizen to welcome with open arms this minority group in the country.

Many people migrate to the UK every year and I hate to say it, but many of them are not too keen on Britain, such as our very own homegrown terrorists.

Yet for some reason, the Gurkhas hit a brick wall evertime they try to emigrate to the very nation they have fought for? something is very wrong here.

From the Gurkha Justice Campaign...

"Gurkhas are fighting for Justice. They want the same terms and conditions as their UK and Commonwealth counterparts.

Britain has had no greater friends than the Gurkhas. They have served all across the world in the defence of our Country for nearly 200 years. Over 45,000 died in the two World Wars as part of the British Army. They are still fighting in the British Army today.

You may have seen in the media that the Gurkhas have been fighting in Parliament and the Courts. Step by step, things are getting better - but there is a long way to go.

The Government decision of 25th April 2009 on Gurkha settlement rights is yet another huge betrayal of the Gurkhas who have served our country.

Only a tiny fraction of the Gurkhas who retired before 1997 will win settlement rights under the new policy. A Gurkha will have to have served 20 years or more or won one of a handful of medals: the big majority of Gurkhas served for 15 years under standard army policy."

Gurkha Justice!



More reading

• Times Online

Go the Mighty Gurkhas !!!

Finally a group of retired Gurkhas who have served their adopted country have won the right to stay and overturn the unfair UK immigration rules that stated that any Gurkha who retired from the British Army before 1997 did not have the automatic right to stay in the country.

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.

Joanna Lumley said it was a "chance to right a great wrong"

This ruling may affect some 2,000 Gurkha soldiers who retired before 1997

"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."

Sign your name to the petition at www.gurkhajustice.org.uk and support the right of all retired Gurkhas to live in the very country they have served with honour.