Article 21: PROTECTION AGAINST HARMFUL SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PRACTICES The Committee notes with concern that the Child Act does not proscribe excision which remains quite widespread in The Sudan. It also expresses concern at early and forced marriage of young girls. The Committee recommends to the Government of the Republic of The Sudan to expressly ban, by law, female genital mutilation such as excision and set the minimum age of marriage at 18 years in conformity with the Charter. Article 22: ARMED CONFLICTS The Committee notes with satisfaction that the Armed Forces Act and the Peace Agreements in respect of protection of the rights of the child set the age of recruitment at 18 years in conformity with African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The Committee proposes to the Government of the Republic of The Sudan to ensure that all parties to armed conflict in Darfur respect the rules of international humanitarian law and take all appropriate measures to provide the affected children with psychological and social support and also actualize a programme of reintegration for demobilized children in Darfur. Article 23: REFUGEE CHILDREN The Committee notes that the policy of the Republic of The Sudan on refugees is based on relevant international and regional conventions to which the country is party. The Committee proposes to the Government of the Republic of The Sudan to take specific measures to determine the status of refugees and ensure that a child seeking to obtain refugee status receives the necessary protection and care. Article 30: CHILDREN OF IMPRISONED MOTHERS The Committee notes with concern that mothers have continued to be imprisoned with their babies. The Committee recommends to the Government of the Republic of The Sudan to take urgent measures to create women detention structures in accordance with Article 30 of the Charter and to use punishment alternative to imprisonment for expectant women and mothers accompanied by their children. 7