Delegates at the Green Party’s annual conference have voted overwhelmingly to back a fast track to either residency or citizenship for Gurkhas and their families.
At present, Gurkhas who have retired before 1997 do not have the right to settle in the UK, but Gurkhas that have retired after 1997 and completed four years of service do have the right. Since 1997 more than 2000 Gurkhas have been refused the right to settle.
Many ex-Gurkhas are living in poverty in Nepal and in need of urgent medical attention that they cannot receive there.
A group of ex-Gurkhas who have been refused permission to settle in Britain have won the right to stage a High Court challenge and that a hearing will be held over two days from 16 September.
London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert, who was named MEP of the Year for Human Rights, said:
"It is a total injustice that Gurkhas who retired before the arbitary 1997 date, and who have worked hard for our country, are being denied the right to settle in the UK."
"There have been a lot of warm words on this issue but these won’t feed people, give them a roof over their heads nor give them access to urgent medical treatment. This is why we are calling on Green representatives around the country to build support locally on this issue and for the Prime Minister Gordon Brown to conduct an urgent review and then to act."
The motion was put before conference by Reading Green Party activist Rob White, who was alerted to the issue by Reading’s Nepalese community.
The text of the motion reads:
Gurkha right to settle
Conference notes that ex-Gurkhas who have been refused permission to settle in Britain have won the right to stage a High Court challenge and that a hearing will be held over two days from 16 September.
Conference notes that Gurkhas have played an active front line part in the British Army’s activities in times of war and peace for nearly 200 years. In this period approximately 300,000 have fought alongside United Kingdom soldiers, with 45,000 of them being killed.
Conference notes that the Government announced in September 2004 a change in immigration rules that allowed Gurkhas who had served in the British Army to settle in the United Kingdom with their families.
Conference notes with concern however that this offer has only been extended to cover those Gurkhas who had served at least four years and been discharged after 1st July 1997.
Conference believes that, given the exceptional service they have given to the United Kingdom, Gurkhas and their families should be given fast track eligibility for either the right to remain or citizenship.
Conference therefore:
1) Urges Green representatives to move and support motions that seek to extend Gurkha rights at all levels.
2) Instructs the Green Party Executive to write to the Prime Minister urging an urgent review of the treatment of all Gurkhas and their families in respect of their right to remain, citizenship and pensions.