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Rediff.com  » News » Blair hints at granting Gurkhas citizenship

Blair hints at granting Gurkhas citizenship

Source: PTI
September 09, 2004 12:23 IST
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Britain may soon consider granting citizenship to Nepalese Gurkhas who had served in British armed forces, ending a nearly three-year long battle being fought by the ex-soldiers.

An indication to this effect was given by Prime Minister Tony Blair at his monthly press conference on Wednesday when he said: "Action will be taken within weeks over the plight of the Gurkhas who are fighting for British citizenship."

An official spokesman for Blair said: "The prime minister was indicating the matter is being reviewed. He was acknowledging there is an issue which has to be looked at."

The Home Office, which had blocked the applications of Nepalese troops, said an end was in sight. "Ministers are now working on a solution to this problem."

A ministry of defence spokesman said: "The Home Office and MoD are progressing the review of Gurkha immigration and nationality, and an announcement will be made by the ministers as soon as possible."

Applauding the campaign for the Gurkhas' basic rights to be respected, Ann Widdecombe, member of Parliament and former Home Office minister, said the government must "recognise the contribution made by Gurkhas to every theatre of war in which British troops have been deployed since 1945." She said, "Any member of NATO armed forces can lawfully enter the UK upon discharge and can ask to stay here. If a Turkish infantryman can do that, why deny it to the Gurkhas?

"We give regular amnesties to illegal immigrants to enable them to stay. But with the Gurkhas you get someone who's fought Saddam Hussein and we tell him he can't stay. They have a right to stay. Most have done 15 years service and for 15 years have been prepared to put their lives on the line in defence of Britain," she said.

Blair's intervention in the Gurkha citizenship battle will put massive pressure on the Home Office and MoD, which is reviewing the dated policy used to deny the Gurkhas' claims. One of the few Gurkhas who has UK citizenship has called for his comrades to be granted the same treatment. Kaji Sherpa, who rose to the rank of lieutenant during his 23 years' service in the Gurkhas, is now a police constable.

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