Theme of the day of 17 November 2000
Improving rights of access to children
Mary BANOTTI (EPP-ED, Dublin) has welcomed the French government initiative that seeks to enforce the rights of access of parents to children, as a step towards 'ensuring the fundamental right of children to maintain contact with their parents'.
The proposal establishes the principle of mutual recognition of judgements for rights of access. It also states that the prompt return of the child at the end of the period of access cannot be challenged or delayed by the parent with the right of access.
Mrs Banotti has however tabled a series of amendments that seek to extend the scope of the draft regulation, both in terms of the situations covered and the geographic scope. She also believes that it should be clear that the aim of the proposal is to ensure that the procedures for the enforcement of judgements are non-discriminatory between EU nationals, although these procedures are not harmonised.
She also wishes to tighten up the provisions on the return of the child by setting a deadline and allowing for the possibility of sanctions in the case of a failure to return the child.
Link :
Banotti Report
Press releases:
"A modest little regulation" to help in cases of abducted children. Mary Banotti MEP
Rights of access to children, "we must do more". Carlos Coelho MEP
