The British Gurkhas, who have been a part of the British Army for more than 200 years, won another legal battle in the UK on Monday. Responding to a case filed by the Ho and Ko Solicitors law firm, on behalf of the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation (Gaeso), a local British court ordered the British government to allow residential visas to the children of British Gurkha soldiers above 18 years of age. 

As of now, the British government allows such visas to children under 18 years of age. Gaeso had filed the case, calling it discriminatory, and demanded residential visa facilities for all children.
Justice Lord Justin Dysen, Master of the Rolls of the British Court of Appeals, issued the verdict on Monday, according to Gaeso.

“We take this decision as a victory over British injustice and exploitation,” said Gaeso in a statement issued here.  

Gaeso thanked lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists and the British people and said that they would continue to struggle until all such discrimination against the Gurkhas comes to an end.
“We secured rights to equal pension, perks and remuneration equalling that of British nationals on May 21, 2009. But the British government’s decision to only allow visas for those under 18 years of age was a malicious one,” read the statement.

Published on: 22 January 2013 | The Kathmandu Post