Families Across Borders | law, policy, news and views
Child Brides in Afghanistan
The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission has released videotapes showing public beatings of two Afghan girls, ages 13 and 14, who had attempted to flee from illegal forced marriage. See this article by Rod Nordland and Alissa J. Rubin, Afghan Child Brides Escape Marriage, but Not Lashes (New York Times, May 30, 2010); one of the videos [...]
2010 Hague Compliance Report
The State Department’s Office of Children’s Issues has published and posted its 2010 Report on Compliance with the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction for the period from October 1, 2008 to septemnber 30, 2009. According to the Report: During FY 2009, the USCA received 1,135 new requests for assistance in the [...]
Commentary on the Abbott Decision
Blogposts on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Abbott last week: Charels Kotuby (ConflictofLaws.net): “Abbott v. Abbott: A Ne Exeat Right is a ‘Right of Custody’ Under the Hague Abduction Convention.” Duncan Hollis (Opinio Juris): “The Supreme Court takes treaty interpretation seriously.” Anna Christensen (SCOTUS Blog): “Court holds that ne exeat rights are enforceable “rights of custody” [...]
Abbott Decision: Parent With ne exeat Right Has a “Right of Custody”
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled in Abbott v. Abbott that a parent may have a right of custody under the Hague Abduction Convention by virtue of a ne exeat right under the law of the child’s habitual residence. Justice Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, which notes that the Court’s conclusion accords with the [...]
The Haitian Babylift
Here’s an account published in the New Yorker by John Seabrook of the adoption he and his wife were planning from Haiti, and his trip to Haiti several weeks after the earthquake. Their adopted daughter was among a group of orphans, already placed with families in the United States, who were allowed to leave Haiti in late January and [...]
Child Abduction and Japan: House Resolution Introduced
Six members of Congress have introduced HR 1326, calling on the government of Japan to address the problem of abduction to and retention of U.S. citizen children in Japan and to adopt the Hague Abduction Convention. The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Public Radio: Baby Trafficking in China
American Public Media reported this week about “The Dark Side of China’s Adoption System” on its Marketplace program. The program’s web site includes a slide show and an item by Scott Tong, China correspondent for Marketplace, called “Take My Daughter: Confessions of a Chinese Baby Trafficker.”
Update: Russian Adoptions Continue
According to the New York Times, the Russian science and education minister has confirmed that the government has not suspended international adoptions. See Clifford J. Levy, “Russian Says American Adoptions May Continue.” The current Adoption Notice for Russia, posted on the State Department’s web page, indicates that a first round of talks was held on April 29 and [...]
