A/HRC/34/44 readiness to enter into discussions with the United Nations on the issue of child recruitment. Progress has, however, been constrained, pending the support of the Government for action plans to be concluded with non-State armed groups. III. Field visits by the Special Representative A. Afghanistan 35. From 13 to 17 February 2016, during a visit to Afghanistan, the Special Representative engaged in high-level dialogue with the Government to support the implementation of the action plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, and of the road map to compliance agreed in August 2013. She also met with key partners, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the diplomatic community and civil society. 36. The Special Representative was encouraged by the political will and commitment of the Government to fully implement the action plan. She had open discussions with the Government about remaining challenges, which included (a) ensuring systematic implementation of instruments and mechanisms to prevent child recruitment; (b) strengthening oversight and control of recruitment by the Afghan Local Police; (c) pursuing accountability to prevent future recruitment and use; and (d) providing reintegration programmes and alternatives for children. Since her visit, the Government has inaugurated 11 more child protection units, located in Afghan National Police recruitment centres, bringing the total to 17 nationwide. 37. The Special Representative also raised with the Government the issue of detention of children on national security-related charges, including for association with non-State armed groups. In an encouraging development, on 2 July 2016, the National Directorate for Security issued a directive ending the transfer of children to and facilitating the release of children from adult detention facilities, including the maximum security detention facility in Parwan Province, near the city of Kabul. In relation to protecting schools and hospitals, the Special Representative noted with concern the increasing numbers of attacks on those facilities and encouraged the Government to take measures to prevent the military use of schools. In June and July 2016, the Ministry of Education sent two directives to all securityrelated ministries highlighting the commitment of Afghanistan to the Safe Schools Declaration, signed in 2015, and requesting security forces to refrain from using schools for military purposes. 38. She also raised with the authorities the practice of bacha bazi, the sexual exploitation and abuse of boys by men in positions of power, including in the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, and emphasized the need to criminalize this practice of sexual abuse against children. B. Sudan 39. The Special Representative visited the Sudan from 27 to 30 March 2016 to witness the signing of the action plan (see para. 30 above) and to engage with the Government of the Sudan on the protection of children. The Special Representative witnessed commitment from government officials and emphasized that it should be demonstrated during the implementation of the action plan. She underscored that accountability for grave violations should be pursued and stressed that access by the United Nations to conflict-affected areas and populations was critical for the success of the action plan. It was during this visit that the Special Representative was given access to 21 children detained by the National 12