Cymdeithas y Cymod Fellowship of Reconciliation in Wales Rhif Elusen /Charity No  700609 3 Tai Minffordd, Rhostryfan, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54 7NF Ffôn 01286 830913         E-bost  post@cymdeithasycymod.org.uk

14/12/2012

Mr. Powell

Cadeirydd

Y Pwyllgor Deisebau

Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru

Bae Caerdydd

Caerdydd

CF99 1NA

Dear Mr Powell

                                    Re Petition P04-432

Thank you for forwarding a copy of the letter written by Jeff Cuthbert in response to our petition regarding the recruitment of children in schools by the armed forces.

We should be grateful if you could ask the Minister to address the following :

We agree with Jeff Cuthbert that the provision of impartial and balanced careers

information, advice and guidance for young people , even in the armed forces is important. However  our petition asks the Welsh Government to urge schools not to allow the recruitment of children by the armed forces. The British Government has made a  submission under Article 8, paragraph 1, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict2, which states: “Army recruiting initiatives include presentations in schools by Army careers advisers (ACA), a variety of Army youth team and Army recruiting team activities, attachments and visits to units, school fairs, Combined Cadet Force (CCF), advertising and marketing initiatives, membership of the Army’s Camouflage Club.”

The British Government has  said clearly that the Armed Forces do go into schools to recruit children and thus has not provided impartial and balanced careers information, advice and guidance for young people. Our petition is in accord with the recommendation by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2008 which stated that the UK state party should: “Reconsider its active policy of recruitment of children into the armed forces…”

The fact that the Armed Forces use visits to schools for recruitment purposes is further evidenced by the fact that  schools in the most deprived areas were visited 50% more often than those in affluent areas in Wales.

May we take this opportunity to thank you again for your time and for coming to meet us on the Senedd steps in Cardiff .

In eager anticipation of your response

Yours sincerely

Arfon Rhys

Hon.Sec  Fellowship of Reconciliation in Wales