Dear Honorable Madeleine K. Albright,

I am deeply concerned about the growing involvement of children in war, and particularly, the use of children as combatants in many countries around the world.

At present, children can be recruited and deployed in war from the age of 15, according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). However, like many other individuals and organizations, I believe this minimum is too low, and should be raised to 18 years of age.

International efforts have been made to raise the minimum age for military recruitment and participation in hostilities to 18 through an optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, I am very disappointed that the United States is among a very small group of states that has opposed 18 as the minimum age for participation in hostilities.

The United States accepts 17-year olds into its armed forces with parental consent. However, the US rarely sends 17-year-olds into combat, and people that young comprise less than one-half of one percent of the total US military. Particularly because these numbers are so small, the continued recruitment of minors is not necessary for our national security. Instead, this recruitment practice is standing in the way of building a strong international standard prohibiting the use of child soldiers.

I urge you to ensure that the United States does not obstruct these critical efforts. Our nation should support, or at least not block, an international agreement establishing 18 as the minimum age for recruitment and participation in hostilities.

Respectfully,