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Gurkhas fight on for equal rights | Gurkhas fight on for equal rights |
(1 day later) | |
By Alison Smith BBC News | |
Gurkha veteran Madan Gurung talks about his fight to stay in the UK | |
Five retired Gurkhas and the widow of another veteran are fighting a legal battle for the right to remain in Britain - the country they fought for, and say they love. | Five retired Gurkhas and the widow of another veteran are fighting a legal battle for the right to remain in Britain - the country they fought for, and say they love. |
The test case has taken nearly two years to come to court. | The test case has taken nearly two years to come to court. |
Madan Gurung, 54, a Gurkha who served with the British Army for 24 years until he retired in 1993, is hoping he will now finally be able to put down roots in the UK. | Madan Gurung, 54, a Gurkha who served with the British Army for 24 years until he retired in 1993, is hoping he will now finally be able to put down roots in the UK. |
At the moment he is staying with friends and well-wishers. | |
But he stresses he is not ill, does not want to settle here for benefits or free medical treatment, and wants to work. | But he stresses he is not ill, does not want to settle here for benefits or free medical treatment, and wants to work. |
"If I'd been given the right to stay here I'd be happy to serve the Crown again," he says. | "If I'd been given the right to stay here I'd be happy to serve the Crown again," he says. |
"We are hardworking people." | "We are hardworking people." |
Pension rights | Pension rights |
The Gurkhas' main base moved from Hong Kong to the UK in 1997. | The Gurkhas' main base moved from Hong Kong to the UK in 1997. |
The Home Office says the automatic right to settle in Britain is normally linked to an extended period of residence in this country or a close family tie. | |
So Gurkhas who retired before 1997 would not normally qualify, though they can apply for discretionary settlement where there is a strong reason, it says. | |
Last year, the government agreed that Gurkhas who retired after this date could remain in the country and would receive a pension on the same terms as the rest of the British Army. | Last year, the government agreed that Gurkhas who retired after this date could remain in the country and would receive a pension on the same terms as the rest of the British Army. |
But retired Gurkhas like Mr Gurung, who left the service in 1993, are not covered by the arrangement. | But retired Gurkhas like Mr Gurung, who left the service in 1993, are not covered by the arrangement. |
He first applied to live in Britain in 2006 but was turned down. | He first applied to live in Britain in 2006 but was turned down. |
He came to the UK to reapply, and has been unable to work while he waits for a decision. | He came to the UK to reapply, and has been unable to work while he waits for a decision. |
Back in Nepal there are elderly Gurkhas in need of medical treatment hard to come by in their country. | Back in Nepal there are elderly Gurkhas in need of medical treatment hard to come by in their country. |
Campaigners say they can only assume the government is worried about a drain on resources. | Campaigners say they can only assume the government is worried about a drain on resources. |
But the 30 or 40 who took a petition to Downing Street ahead of the High Court hearing believe the British public back them in their struggle for equal rights. | |
Gurkhas' wives wore traditional dress for the protest outside Parliament | Gurkhas' wives wore traditional dress for the protest outside Parliament |
Gurkhas are hand picked from a fiercely contested recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to fight for Britain. | Gurkhas are hand picked from a fiercely contested recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to fight for Britain. |
Known for their bravery, their close camaraderie and endurance, they have seen combat all over the world, with 200,000 fighting in the two World Wars. | Known for their bravery, their close camaraderie and endurance, they have seen combat all over the world, with 200,000 fighting in the two World Wars. |
In March, Mr Gurung and others handed back their long-service medals in protest at the way the government has treated them. | In March, Mr Gurung and others handed back their long-service medals in protest at the way the government has treated them. |
Now all he has left is his Gurkha's hat. | Now all he has left is his Gurkha's hat. |
Tough times | Tough times |
Some Gurkhas have found it difficult to settle back in Nepal, says Chandra Bahadur Budhathoti, 54. | Some Gurkhas have found it difficult to settle back in Nepal, says Chandra Bahadur Budhathoti, 54. |
The government says it has tried to be fair to all former servicemen | The government says it has tried to be fair to all former servicemen |
He retired in 1985 but said it was difficult to survive amidst the political and economic instability in Nepal. | He retired in 1985 but said it was difficult to survive amidst the political and economic instability in Nepal. |
Consequently, he moved to the Middle East to work in security and management in Kuwait. | Consequently, he moved to the Middle East to work in security and management in Kuwait. |
But he wants to settle in Britain and thinks his contribution to this country should be enough. | But he wants to settle in Britain and thinks his contribution to this country should be enough. |
The Gurkhas' solicitor, Martin Howe, says the case has dragged on for so long that seven or eight Gurkhas who applied for entry into the UK have already died. | The Gurkhas' solicitor, Martin Howe, says the case has dragged on for so long that seven or eight Gurkhas who applied for entry into the UK have already died. |
"We need this case to be settled quickly," he said. | "We need this case to be settled quickly," he said. |
"Some of the men I represent are in their 70s and 80s and in desperate need of medical care." | "Some of the men I represent are in their 70s and 80s and in desperate need of medical care." |
He represents around 1,500 men who wish to come to the UK, but says the government is fighting "tooth and nail" to keep them out. | He represents around 1,500 men who wish to come to the UK, but says the government is fighting "tooth and nail" to keep them out. |
He sees it as a clear-cut case of discrimination, as the Gurkhas have not been treated equally, compared to other foreign soldiers. | He sees it as a clear-cut case of discrimination, as the Gurkhas have not been treated equally, compared to other foreign soldiers. |
The Home Office says it has tried to be as fair as possible to all ex-servicemen, including Gurkhas. The have the full right of appeal and can stay in Britain while their case is pending. | |
Mr Gurung says he is happy to finally get his case heard in court. | |
"I think the government is scared," he says. "But I feel very upset after having served for so many years and given my life." |
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