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[29 April 2008] - Egypt's Shura Council approved most of the proposed amendments in child law No 12, which were claimed, earlier this year, to be inconsistent with the Islamic Sharia. The new amendments include rising the minimum age of marriage to 18 years for girls; criminalising FGM and giving children born outside marriage the right to be registered with their mother's name. They also establish "Childhood Protection committees" which have the authority to receive reports and complaints about children in danger, and "take the necessary legal procedures" including fines and jail. But a member of the Muslim Brothers, which renounced violence ten years ago, said that the criminalisation of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and the ban on corporal punishment in the home, were issues imported from the U.S and Europe. He said: "They want to disband our families, to be like them." During the session, members of the NDP bloc said the amendments are consistent with Islamic Sharia, and have been tabled to stress a respect for human rights and protect children from poverty and hunger. The Council chairman, Safwat Al-Sharef said the establishment of "Childhood Protection General Committee" in each governorate had been approved. The committees will include representatives from different departments, such as Social Solidarity, Security, Health and Education departments, as well as representatives from civil society and members selected by committee chairmen. The committee will be responsible for drawing up guidelines for child protection policy, and following up on implementation. Ismael Al-Daftar, Shura and Islamic Research Institute member, said that the amendments "are not inconsistent with the Islamic laws, as Islamic Sharia states that parents should raise their children in a good way without abuse or assault". Â