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09
Jun 2023
Last Updated: 09/06/2023
UN report questions Harrogate army college's recruitment of 'child soldiers'
The United Nations has called for the army enlistment age to be raised to 18 — which would have significant implications for Harrogate's Army Foundation College.
The recommendation was contained in a report published this week by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.
The committee cited multiple concerns over children’s rights and welfare in the British armed forces and urged the government to investigate all forms of abuse against children in the armed forces.
The Harrogate college, which trains junior soldiers aged 16 and 17, has been hit by a spate of recent allegations of abuse and bullying.
The UN committee heard evidence that, in 2021 alone, investigations were opened into the sexual abuse of 22 recruits at the college.
Jim Patrick Wyke, campaigns coordinator at the campaign group Child Rights International Network, called on the government to end recruitment at 16 in light of the evidence.
He said:
“The UK government's continued recruitment of under-18s into the military is unnecessary, harmful and puts the UK well outside international norms.
“The government must heed the UN's warning and end the recruitment of children into the armed forces immediately.”
Read more:
- Parents call for Harrogate army college to be closed after abuse claims
- Harrogate Army Foundation College instructor demoted for punching teenage soldiers
- Former Harrogate Army Foundation College instructor sentenced for sex assault
The Stray Ferret approached the British Army for a response and to ask what the implications would be on the college if the age was raised.
A MOD spokesperson said:
“We are proud of the opportunities serving in the Armed Forces affords young people, from upskilling in literacy and digital skills and support for postgraduate degrees, to high-quality accredited training and unique employment prospects.
“Recruitment of under-18s into the Armed Forces meets all legal and policy requirements, both national and international. We take our duty of care for all personnel extremely seriously and ensure under-18s are not deployed on operations that would expose them to hostilities.”
Last month, a government minister told the House of Lords that the Ministry Of Defence introduced new policies to deal with sexual offences, which had helped to improve the situation at the college.
Baroness Goldie, a minister in the MOD, said that the Army Foundation College had a “much improved climate” since 2021.
She said:
“The MoD has introduced new policies and changes to deal with sexual offences and unacceptable sexual behaviour below the criminal threshold.
“It has taken steps to improve the complaints system, has created the Defence Serious Crime Unit and has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual offences and sexual relationships between instructors and trainees.
“All of that now reflects a much-improved climate at the college.”
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