I referred in an earlier post to a response from the NICCY about our query over cadet forces.
In the response the Commissioner said:
?My founding legislation restricts my powers regarding reserved and excepted matters, including defence and armed forces, and I have copied your correspondence to the Children?s Commissioner for England who holds remit in relation to excepted matters.?
Our understanding however is that the UK has gone to great lengths to assert that the military cadet forces are NOT part of the defences forces because if they were they would be in breach on UN Conventions.
We have written to NICCY to seek urgent clarification:
?Koulla Yiasouma
Commissioner for Children and Young People
NICCY
Belfast
via email
20th December 2016
Dear Commissioner Yiasouma
Thank you for your letter of the 19th of December responding to our query.
Can I first thank you for the detailed response and for taking the actions you have outlined.
I note your comment that:
?My founding legislation restricts my powers regarding reserved and excepted matters, including defence and armed forces, and I have copied your correspondence to the Children?s Commissioner for England who holds remit in relation to excepted matters.?
I would advise you to research this issue as my understanding is that the Cadet Forces whilst ?sponsored? by the MOD are NOT part of the ?defence and armed forces?.
I am fairly certain that the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child have pressed the UK on this very issue and the UK has specifically ruled out any such integral link.
I will confer with our General Secretary on this issue and if ambiguity exists in relation to N. Ireland I will ask him to write to the UNCRC and seek clarification.
The Celtic League is a fully accredited UN NGO (ECOSOC) so I feel sure UNCRC will provide us with the necessary information.
Once again thank you for your response and best wishes to you and your staff for the festive season
Yours sincerely,
J B Moffatt (Mr)
pp Celtic League?
Related link:
BERNARD MOFFATT
Public Relations Officer Mannin Branch
Issued by: The Mannin branch of the Celtic League.
20/12/16
■