ID :
197662
Wed, 07/27/2011 - 15:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/197662
The shortlink copeid
Gov't begins preparations to join int'l child custody pact+
TOKYO, July 27 Kyodo -
Japan began preparations Wednesday to join an international treaty that sets procedures for settling cross-border child custody disputes by holding a meeting involving government officials, lawyers and academic experts.
In line with Japan's decision in May to sign the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, officials from relevant ministries and experts discussed specific functions of the central authority to be established in the Foreign Ministry.
The central authority is required to locate children wrongfully removed or retained by one parent and secure their voluntary return in response to requests made by the other parent. In drafting domestic legislation to endorse the pact, the government needs to stipulate the functions of the central authority.
At the outset of the meeting, which was open to the media, Parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Ikuo Yamahana called for input by meeting participants on concrete tasks for the central authority and problems that need to be solved for the authority to properly function.
''I expect you to have significant exchange of opinions so that the government can create a good system to serve the welfare of the child,'' he said.
The meeting chaired by Mitsuo Kobayakawa, a professor at Seikei University's School of Law, took up issues such as how to protect the privacy of those involved in cross-border child custody disputes and promote resolution of such rows, according to Foreign Ministry officials.
The experts' talks, which will be held every month, are intended to contribute to the government's efforts to craft the domestic legislation to endorse the convention, the officials added.
Separately, a Justice Ministry panel began deliberations on judicial procedures for the return of a child abducted by a parent under the Hague Convention earlier this month, with an eye to compiling a report in February next year.
The envisioned domestic legislation would indicate that children will not have to be returned when the parent has fled from an abusive spouse or could face criminal prosecution in his or her country of habitual residence.
The Justice Ministry's Legislative Council will meet twice every month and study what kind of cases should be considered as exceptions to the return of a child by examining cases abroad.
The pact only says children will not be returned when there is ''a grave risk that his or her return would expose the child to physical or psychological harm or otherwise place the child in an intolerable situation'' and does not stipulate specific conditions.
Japan has been urged by other countries to join the treaty at an early date to deal with cross-border child custody disputes as a result of failed international marriages.
==Kyodo
2011-07-27 20:44:45
Japan began preparations Wednesday to join an international treaty that sets procedures for settling cross-border child custody disputes by holding a meeting involving government officials, lawyers and academic experts.
In line with Japan's decision in May to sign the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, officials from relevant ministries and experts discussed specific functions of the central authority to be established in the Foreign Ministry.
The central authority is required to locate children wrongfully removed or retained by one parent and secure their voluntary return in response to requests made by the other parent. In drafting domestic legislation to endorse the pact, the government needs to stipulate the functions of the central authority.
At the outset of the meeting, which was open to the media, Parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Ikuo Yamahana called for input by meeting participants on concrete tasks for the central authority and problems that need to be solved for the authority to properly function.
''I expect you to have significant exchange of opinions so that the government can create a good system to serve the welfare of the child,'' he said.
The meeting chaired by Mitsuo Kobayakawa, a professor at Seikei University's School of Law, took up issues such as how to protect the privacy of those involved in cross-border child custody disputes and promote resolution of such rows, according to Foreign Ministry officials.
The experts' talks, which will be held every month, are intended to contribute to the government's efforts to craft the domestic legislation to endorse the convention, the officials added.
Separately, a Justice Ministry panel began deliberations on judicial procedures for the return of a child abducted by a parent under the Hague Convention earlier this month, with an eye to compiling a report in February next year.
The envisioned domestic legislation would indicate that children will not have to be returned when the parent has fled from an abusive spouse or could face criminal prosecution in his or her country of habitual residence.
The Justice Ministry's Legislative Council will meet twice every month and study what kind of cases should be considered as exceptions to the return of a child by examining cases abroad.
The pact only says children will not be returned when there is ''a grave risk that his or her return would expose the child to physical or psychological harm or otherwise place the child in an intolerable situation'' and does not stipulate specific conditions.
Japan has been urged by other countries to join the treaty at an early date to deal with cross-border child custody disputes as a result of failed international marriages.
==Kyodo
2011-07-27 20:44:45
