House of Commons Home Affairs Committee backs Justice for Gurkhas (Medway Liberal Democrats)

Medway Liberal Democrats <info@medwaylibdems.org.uk>

House of Commons Home Affairs Committee backs Justice for Gurkhas

November 5, 2008 3:45 PM
Originally published by South East Region Liberal Democrats

Councillor Dhan Gurung: The committee has listened to our case, and has asked the Government to take urgent action to finally offer full justice on settlement rights to all Gurkhas.

The Home Affairs Committee of the House of Commons yesterday considered the right of Gurkhas to settle in the UK and sent a letter to the Home Secretary urging her to take "urgent action to redress the currently unfair situation by extending settlement rights in the UK to all Gurkhas".

The Home Office Committee is a cross Party committee, and met in the Wilson Room, Portcullis House on Tuesday morning. There are more details about the committee at www.parliament.uk/homeaffairscom/

Liberal Democrat Councillor Dhan Gurung, who became the first ex-Gurkha Councillor when elected to Folkestone Town Council in May 2007, attended the hearing. Afterwards, he commented:

"This is everything we could have hoped for. The committee has listened to our case, and has asked the Government to take urgent action to finally offer full justice on settlement rights to all Gurkhas.

"We now have a High Court judgement saying the treatment of Gurkhas is unfair and unlawful. The Home Affairs Committee agrees. Hundreds of thousands of people from across the UK and beyond agree, and have signed the Gurkha Justice petition at www.gurkhajustice.org.uk.

"The Government simply has to listen, and to finally right this wrong."

The letter, signed by Labour MP Keith Vaz on behalf of the committee, read:

Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP, Home Secretary, Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF

4 November 2008

Gurkhas

The Home Affairs Committee took evidence in a one of hearing today, Tuesday 4th November, on the rights of Gurkhas to settlement in the UK. We heard compelling testimony from two ex-Gurkha soldiers and from long standing Gurkha campaigners.

As a result of the evidence we heard today, the Committee has asked me to write to you with the following conclusions, and ask that you take urgent action in response.

1. The committee considers the UK owes an historic debt of gratitude to the Gurkhas for their brave, loyal and distinguished service in defence of this country.

2. The committee agrees that the current Government policy of distinguishing between those Gurkhas who retired prior to 1 July 1997 - the date on which the base of the Brigade of Gurkhas transferred from Hong Kong to the UK - and those who retired after, has in effect created two classes of Gurkhas. It has also caused considerable personal suffering and hardship.

3. The committee further concludes that this treatment of Gurkhas is particularly unfair given the discrepancy with settlement rights afforded to other Commonwealth citizens who serve in our Armed Forces.

4. The committee therefore urges you to take urgent action, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence, to redress the currently unfair situation by extending settlement rights in the UK to all Gurkhas.

Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP