Britain Extends Citizenship to Gurkhas

In a move in the well-earned right direction, the Brits have offered serious hope and recognition to some of the globe’s truest warriors:

Britain has extended full citizenship rights to Gurkha soldiers from Nepal who serve in the British armed forces, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.

“The Gurkhas have served this country with great skill, courage and dignity during some of the most testing times in our history,” Blair said.

“They have made an enormous contribution not just to our armed forces but to the life of this country, and it is important their commitment and sacrifice is recognised,” he said Thursday.

Gurkhas and their supporters have been trying for three years to publicly shame the British government with the charge it treats these soldiers as good enough to die for Britain, but not good enough to become citizens.

The announcement that most Gurkha soldiers have won the right to become British citizens follows an 18-month review by Britain’s Home Office and the Foreign Office.

Gurkhas said they could not wholeheartedly welcome the move because the new provision will apply only to those who were discharged from the forces after July 1, 1997, meaning that around 100 of the estimated 400 Gurkhas currently resident in Britain will not be eligible.

The Gurkhas have been stout, gallant combatants for the Crown for a long, long time. This is a huge step, but more is needed for these proud warriors and their amazing history.