Gurkha Justice: The Gurkha Citizenship and Pension Campaign

8.08.00am GMT Wed 3rd Jan 2007

British Army Gurkha soldiers

Peter Carroll the former Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe has placed a petition on the website of the Prime Minister for Gurkha Justice.

Despite winning a pledge from the Government in 2004 to offer citizenship rights to Gurkhas, the Home Office continue to block and delay many applications. Gurkha pensions are also between 1/8th and 1/6th that of comporable service pensions. If you feel that this treatment of retired Gurkha soldiers who have fought for and served Britain is wrong, please sign the petition on the 10 Downing Street web site.

The Gurkha Justice Campaign is one that deserves our support and I am glad to see Peter is continuing the run this campaign. Folkestone and Hythe is home to many current and former Gurkha's and I have had the chance to meet some when I lived there and also at Liberal Democrat Conference.

The text of the petition is:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to honour the 2004 pledge to give retired Gurkhas the right to become citizens of the UK on retirement and to pay retired Gurkhas a fair pension.

Related Link:

Find out more about the Gurkha Justice Campaign and sign the petition