Enforcing the convention on the civil aspects of child abduction,
Islamabad: The Center for Rule of Law Islamabad Pakistan (CRoLI), recently
conducted a Conference on The Hague Convention’s post-ratification scenario. The conference was held for the training of Lawyers, Government Officials and other relevant stakeholders. The event took place in collaboration with the US Embassy at the US Embassy, Islamabad which was addressed, inter alia, the requisite procedure pertaining to the enforcement of The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (ratification and aftermath). The Conference started off with a welcome speech by DCM John Hoover. This was followed by a
brief overview of the projects and activities pertaining to the myriad areas of public interest litigation undertaken by CRoLI.
Thereon, the Solicitor General gave an overview of the implications of The Hague Convention in Pakistan, followed by Mr. Muhammad Majid Bashir’s presentation on The Hague Convention ratification and aftermath. The focal point of the lecture was to provide an insight into the relevant case law concerning child abduction along with the implementation of The Hague Convention in Pakistan. The segment came to a conclusion with Mr. Bashir engaging in an interactive Q A session
with the esteemed guests. This was followed by Mr. Ahmer Bilal Soofi, Patron of CRoLI, addressing the participants on the Implication of International Conventions and Treaties and Role of the Judiciary. The next segment focused on the examination of The Hague Convention Articles. This was conducted by Mr. Jared Hess, member of the US Embassy. Mr. Hess went through each article and explained the applicability of the Convention and the procedure therein. Thereafter, Ms. Rebecca Williams and Ms. Sadia Abbasi, representatives of Office of Children’s issues, illustrated the
problems faced by children who are illegally removed from the custody of either parent. In the last segment of the event, the participants were given a group case study to analyze different scenarios of child abduction, and the role Hague Convention has to play in facilitating the return of the child to his country habitual residence. This was concluded by a Q & A session with the entire
panel. The Conference wrapped up with the award of certificates to the participants. All participants agreed that CRoLI had taken a concrete step by highlighting the menace of child abduction and giving a cogent illustration of how the different institutions, the Police and the Judiciary, can effectively coordinate when tackling such an issue.nforcing the convention on the civil aspects of child abduction