Category: United Nations

UN Says Japan Should Address Parental Child Abduction

11/3/2022

(Geneva) Following September's reports by multiple NGOs and an October 13 briefing by Bring Abducted Children Home's Jeffery Morehouse, the UN Human Rights Committee issued a their concluding observations. They wrote, "the Committee is concerned by reports received regarding frequent cases of “Parental Child Abduction”, domestic and international, and a lack of adequate responses by the State party (arts. 17, 23 and 24)."

"The State party should: ...Introduce the necessary measures to adequately respond to cases of 'Parental Child Abductions' and ensure that decisions on custody of the child, whether domestic or international cases, take into account the best interests of the child and are fully implemented in practice."

UN Human Rights Committee Calls For More Information On Parental Abduction Of Children In Japan

10/15/2022

SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE United Nations IN GENEVA By JEFFERY MOREHOUSE

(Geneva) This week I formally briefed the United Nations Human Rights Committee on parental child abduction and loss of access within and to Japan during a private session.

Giving the 23rd and final briefing, I highlighted key points from our multi-national, multi-NGO report, emphasized the emotional and traumatic impact on abducted children and parents, and called on the committee to, "End the ongoing suffering. Hold the Government of Japan accountable."

Many important issues had been presented in earlier years regarding Japan, but our team was successful in making a compelling argument resulting in the committee asking questions of the Japanese Government delegation on day one of the public sessions. From the first round of questions, "the Committee was concerned about reports of parental child abductions in Japan. What measures were in place to respond to these issues?" The delegation from Japan ignored the question causing a committee expert to request an answer on day two.

In claiming they've been deliberating parental authority and visitation since March 2021, Japan's answer was inadequate. They failed to respond to the point from our report and briefing that exposed the July 2022 Ministry of Justice's report by the Family Law Reform Commission included NO countermeasure against Parental Child Abduction.

Their other response was limited to incoming and outgoing Hague Abduction Convention case figures and claiming they offer a list of attorneys, potential legal aid and ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution, a type of non-binding mediation). Here against they failed to fully respond to the question and scope of the issue that includes a much larger domestic parental child abduction and loss of access crisis than Hague cases alone.

Seizing additional opportunities throughout my time here I spoke individually with committee chairperson Photini Pazartzis, vice-chairperson Vasilka Sancin, and committee rapporteur Duncan Muhumuza Laki.

Japan's superficial responses were unsurprising and inadequate. While they continue to attempt to drag it back into the shadows we will continue to bring light to it.

Contributing remotely to this week's efforts were John Gomez of Kizuna Child-Parent Reunion, Rei Ozaki of Grassroots Action for Joint Custody and Shared Parenting in Japan, and Paul Touja of Sauvons Nos Enfants Japon.

UN Says Japan Should Address Parental Child Abduction

UN Human Rights Committee Calls For More Information On Parental Abduction Of Children In Japan

SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE United Nations IN GENEVA By JEFFERY MOREHOUSE

Categories

Archives

UN Says Japan Should Address Parental Child Abduction

UN Human Rights Committee Calls For More Information On Parental Abduction Of Children In Japan

​SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE United Nations IN GENEVA By JEFFERY MOREHOUSE

Categories

Archives

SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE United Nations IN GENEVA By JEFFERY MOREHOUSE