UN calls for the US to end military recruitment of kids under 18 years old

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL06319154

U.N. experts rap U.S. "cruelty" to child prisoners
Fri Jun 6, 2008 12:35pm EDT

By Robert Evans

GENEVA, June 6 (Reuters) - United Nations experts on child rights criticised the United States on Friday over detention of juveniles at Guantanamo, in Afghanistan and Iraq, and voiced concern that some may have suffered cruel treatment.

They also called for an end to recruitment of under-18s into the U.S. armed forces and for a halt to enlistment campaigns aimed specifically at young people from minority groups and poor or single-parent families.

The strictures were issued in a report from the 18-member Committee on the Rights of the Child, which monitors performance under U.N. pacts, including two signed by Washington on children and armed conflict and on child prostitution.

On under-18s -- defined by the U.N. as children -- held in U.S.-run prisons in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Committee said it was "concerned over reports indicating the use of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment."

[FarCenter]

1. The age for enlistment should be raised to 21

If you aren't mature enough at 18 to make responsible decisions regarding voting or drinking alcohol, how can it be that you are mature enough to make a responsible decision about joining the armed forces?

[NNN0LHI]

2. If this idea can't catch on around here we are all fucked

We are talking about sending kids to kill and be killed here.

We as Americans have lost our way.

Don

[ColbertWatcher]

3. No wonder the GOP hates the UN n/t