INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Kathmandu, November 6
A two-day national conference on ‘Human Rights Movement for Equality and Dignity of Ex-British Gurkhas& organised
jointly by the British Gurkha community and Nepali civil society, concluded with an 11-point Kathmandu Declaration yesterday.
The main
objective of the declaration is to uphold the equality and dignity of Nepali citizens, who have served and are still serving in the British
Army, stated the declaration
Imposition of Indian Pay Code on British Gurkhas after 1948, which came in the name of Tripartite Agreement 1947, but with mutual
understanding between India and Britain, was absolutely unfair, against the sovereignty and independence of Nepal and incompatible with
international laws, read the declaration.
&It is a matter of tremendous regret to witness the fact that thousands of Gurkha ex-servicemen
have been victimised by hardship and destitution as a result of discriminatory and unjust treatment continuously perpetrated by the British
Government from 1948 to 1997,& the declaration read.
Struggle for equality and dignity spearheaded by ex-Gurkhas against discriminatory and
unfair treatment will continue at national as well as international levels in the form of patriotic movement, and a campaign dedicated to
human rights and dignity of Nepali citizens who served and have been serving in British Army, will be launched as stated in the
declaration.
Ex-Gurkhas have demanded prompt dialogue between the Government of Nepal and the British Government on the report prepared by
the technical committee that comprises of the ambassador of Nepal for UK, minister of defence (UK) and representatives from British Gurkha
ex-servicemen associations, which was established to address the concerns raised by the British Gurkhas ex-servicemen
For this purpose, the Government of Nepal will be requested to recognise the report, introduced on March 15 by the International Relation
Committee of the Federal Parliament of Nepal, as a guiding instrument.
&If, all these efforts failed to draw the attention of the British
Government and if still remained indifferent, the movement against discrimination and injustice on Gurkha ex-servicemen will be developed as
an international human rights campaign
To make such movement successful, the ex-servicemen community may establish ‘an international human right campaign coordination committee
for the justice meted out to ex-Gurkha servicemen
The committee will build up an international campaign,& stated the declaration.
According to the declaration, by following the process of
Universal Periodic Review, it may draw the attention of the UN Human Right Council towards the injustice and discrimination against Gurkha
ex-servicemen and their families
&In order to provide adequate compensation to the family of those soldiers who had lost their lives during wars, the Government of Nepal
must start dialogue with the British Government,& said Gurkha ex-servicemen gathered at the event.
The conference also demanded the British
Government to address all types of discrimination and injustice against Gurkha ex-servicemen.
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