The Gurkhas, half recognized, across the Channel
(B2)The British government has finally recognized its Gurkhas' right of residence in the United Kingdom. In recent years, the law had been changed. And the soldier at the end of his service simply became a foreigner, therefore no longer having the right to stay... An unjust and discriminatory situation for those who had served his Gracious Majesty (read the their campaign website for civil rights).
The battle to have "blood money" recognised has been a long and bitter one. And it may not be quite over. We have seen a few MPs, both Labour and Conservative or Liberal Democrat, come to the defence of the Gurkhas in the face of a government that could not be more stubborn (NB: the main opposition leader, David Cameron, has sided with the government on this occasion. See the list of opposing deputies to this measurement).
Several personalities, such actress Joanna Lumley ("Bowler hat, leather boots", "Absolutely fabulous"...) - born in Kashmir, her father served for a long time with the 6th Gurkha Rifles -, sided with the Nepalese soldiers. Listen on the BBC: » We owe them a debt of honor – a debt that will now be paid”.
The government therefore decided to change the rule. But lip service: the Gurkha who served before July 1, 1997 must have completed four years of service before being able to obtain a right of residence for him and his family (wife and dependent children). Since 2004, the Gurkha, who served after July 1, 1997, has already been entitled to stay,
says the government. (read the communicated of the Ministry of Defence).
The Gurkha Brigade was formed in 1948, upon Indian independence, when four regiments from the former Indian Army were transferred to the British Army. It currently has 3800 men, still recruited in Nepal and who remain Nepalese citizens during their service, and provides 3% of the armed forces (8% of the infantry). They are often used in risky areas.
France is not spared from the principle of… discrimination. Despite several rulings by the Council of State, France has also long "quabbled" over the rights of its veterans from its former colonies (Morocco, Algeria, black colonies, etc.) who fought during the various wars of the 1959th century (world wars, Indochina, Algeria, etc.). In particular, over the payment of pensions. Since 2007, retirement or disability pensions had been frozen, "crystallized". Result: the pension could be up to eight times lower than that of their European coreligionists. Of course, the amount of certain pensions was revalued in the 80 finance law. But not totally. A situation that contradicts not only morality but especially European law, the principle of non-discrimination and European social security rules. Nearly 000 veterans are still alive (out of the million who fought, around 100 have died). See the website of forgotten by the Republic
(photo credit: Gurkha Rights Campaign – British Army)
(NGV)