‘Discharge as of right’
Ian Kirk-Smith gives an update
There has been progress on the issue of ‘discharge as of right’ for young soldiers.
Alex Cunningham, MP, has introduced an amendment to the Armed Forces Bill in Select Committee to raise the age of recruitment to eighteen and to give ‘discharge as of right’ to all under-eighteen-year-olds currently serving.
The amendment was not forced to a vote but the minister for the Armed Services agreed to look further at the issue of a right to leave for those under eighteen.
The amendment may be brought back in the House of Commons or Lords.
Michael Bartlet, parliamentary liaison secretary, Britain Yearly Meeting, said: ‘This is a good first step. This amendment was drafted to give effect to the recommendations of Quakers and the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers. I hope Quakers and all those committed to human rights will continue to press their MPs for a discharge as of right for all under-eighteen-year-olds.’
