      other stakeholders (legislations, newborn registration, child abuse …etc. committees). State Councils for Child Welfare: these are headed by the Wali (Governor) with membership of competent ministers. Their competencies are confined to their respective states with close coordination with NCCW and state partners. They meet once a year to coordinate activities, technical support and training and annual reports. The Advisory Council for Human Rights: this council was established by a Presidential Decree in 1994. In 2007 it has established a department specializing in regional and international agreements on the child issues and to follow up application of national legislations on the issues of the child and to promulgate awareness about human rights and the international humanitarian law. The National Committee for International and Humanitarian Law: this committee was established by the Presidential Decree No 48 for 2003. It is headed by the Minister of Justice and its reporter is head of the human rights department with representatives for all agencies concerned with the application of the international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and children in armed conflict areas. The committee is the official spokesperson in the field of the application of the international humanitarian law. The Committee for Eradication of the Abduction of Women and Children: this committee was establishes in fulfillment of the Sudan’s government commitments arising from the decision adopted by the UN Human Rights Committee for the Sudan in April 1999. Such commitments included verification of reports alleging abduction of women and children, assertion of causes of such cases and demanding reunion of those kidnapped with their respective families. The committee was re-formed by the Presidential Decree No 14 for 2002. The Decree provided more resources and powers to the committee and was attached to the Presidency of the Republic. The Child Rights Unit of the Armed Forces: this is most recent child protection mechanism. It was established in 2008 as an initiative by the Ministry of Defense (Military Judiciary), NCCW and UNICEF. The unit aims to provide protection for children in armed conflict areas in accordance with provisions of the Armed Forces Act, 2007 and international criteria for the protection of children against conscription and the protection of children affected by armed conflicts. It also aims at the promulgation of the culture of child protection during armed conflicts, training of officers and soldiers on the rights of the child and to oversee activities of child protection during armed conflicts. UN- Government Coordination Mechanism for Children and Armed Conflict in Sudan: this initiative aims to encourage dialogue and to follow on the UNSG reports on children and armed conflicts. Its membership include the NCCW, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Advisory Council for Human Rights, DDR Commission (North), the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of the Interior, Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), the National Committee 15