News Release - Quakers push for recruitment age to be raised

11 January 2011

Quakers in Britain call for the government to raise the age of recruitment into the army. Those under eighteen year olds currently in the army should be able to leave as of right. All those under the age of eighteen should have to make a positive decision on their eighteenth birthday when they legally become adults.

Britain is now the only European country to recruit sixteen year olds into the army. Last year over four thousand under eighteens were recruited into the armed forces. Under eighteens need their parents’ consent to join. After an initial cooling off period there is no discharge as of right. They may be held to their commitment, for four years beyond their eighteenth birthday. This is two years longer than those joining at eighteen. Those leaving without the consent of their commanding officer may be subject to prosecution in military courts.

Parliament is currently debating the Armed Forces Bill and will have the opportunity to introduce amendments.   Quakers are calling for its amendment to ensure that only those who are legally adult can join the army. The Armed Forces Act needs to be passed every five years and is part of the legal framework that allows for the keeping of a standing army in peace time.

“It is time for the UK to adopt a more consistent attitude to the age of adult responsibility,” says Michael Bartlet, Parliamentary Liaison Secretary, Quakers in Britain. “Under eighteens are considered too young to vote, yet they are old enough to join the army. They are too young to buy fireworks, yet old enough to train with live ammunition. They are not legally adult, yet then can make a decision, which binds them for four years beyond their eighteenth birthday. Decisions made as a child have irrevocable consequences as an adult and may lead to them serving in Afghanistan.”   

"Parliament’s Joint Human Rights Committee made recommendations for safeguarding the well being of young people in the army in 2009. The Armed Forces Bill represents the best opportunity of putting these into practice," he added. The Committee called, in particular for UK Government action to implement recommendations of the UN Committee on Human Rights regarding the UN Optional Protocol on the Rights of the Child.

More information at www.quaker.org.uk/opportunity-action-armed-forces-recruitment

Ends
Notes to editor:

• Quakers are known formally as the Religious Society of Friends.
• The Religious Society of Friends was founded as a radical Christian movement in seventeenth century England.
• Around 23,000 people attend nearly 475 Quaker meetings in Britain. Their commitment to equality, justice, peace, simplicity and truth challenges them to seek positive social and legislative change. Quakers have long campaigned for an end to the use of child soldiers, both globally and in Britain and worked to introduce the cross-party Early Day Motion 781 which has the support of thirty MPs. See www.quaker.org.uk
• In the year 2009/2010, 4675 under 18s were recruited into the armed forces: source  www.dasa.mod.uk
• For more on Children's Rights - Human Rights Joint Committee see http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt200809/jtselect/jtrights/157/15709.htm#a21

Media Information
Anne van Staveren
0207 663 1048
07958 009703
annev@quaker.org.uk
www.quaker.org.uk