British war veterans against recruitment of minors
British war veterans launch a campaign against enlisting 16-year-olds into the military.
While Britain is current the only state in Europe or NATO that enlists minors, a policy criticized by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, the parliamentary joint committee on human rights and other groups including Child Soldiers International and British Quakers, the organization Veterans For Peace (VFP) are demanding change in policy in an attempt to highlight the increasing costs of war.
Following a 6-month trial, 16-year-olds are locked into a system till the age of 22, a life-changing decision made at a tender young age, according to VFP coordinator Ben Griffin who served with the special forces of the UK army in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Griffin says his experiences give him an “obligation” to tell other teenagers the truth about the military, noting, “There’s no clear, uniformed enemy anymore.”
“Basically, in war, you’re fighting a civilian population: you’re breaking down doors in the middle of the night. That can be a terrible shock. But by then you’re locked in. The clock doesn’t even start ticking on your four years until you’re 18. It’s a sinister thing, pulling in people who are less critical and easier to mould.”
He added, “It’s not OK that people with a vested interested are pushing the notion of a noble military career to children.”
His comments come after a Defense Ministry spokesman recently said, “We recruit across all age groups and as part of our duty of care to recruits, no young person under the age of 18 may join our armed forces without the formal written consent of their parent or guardian.”
Recruitment of those under the age of 18 helps in making a "significant contribution" to the annual intake, according to the spokesman. He added that it would be difficult to sustain personnel levels without this.
The ministry ensured they do not recruit in schools and only attend if invited by the school itself.
SU/GHN
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