Hungary The question of abduction

December 22, 2011

Comment: The Hungarian article in ‘HVG’ gives an extended coverage on the situation of the current child abduction cases committed by parents. The article cites some controversial cases, in which mothers had returned to Hungary from abroad with their children. These cases are usually very complex with parents with different citizenship as well as authorities participate and fight for the custody of the child.

Although all European Union member states signed and ratified the Hague Abduction Convention, expect Denmark, claiming to have the same policies when it comes to cases of “abduction” of child by a parent, national legislation often entails different proceedings. There is an urgent need for the standardization of common understanding, because since the creation of the Schengen area, the number of cases has significantly risen.

While parents do have custody rights which need to be upheld, the legal proceedings against the abductor parent – which may entail their imprisonment – is not in the best interest of the child. The article points out that in many cases authorities regard the observation of rules and laws more important than the best interest of the child.

Further reading:

Recently, Hungary was criticized for not upholding its own ruling in an abduction case with Ireland

And another article on the increasing number of cases in Sweden about abduction on news on the net.

Comment: Rita Savai, Regional Office for Central and South Eastern Europe, Terre des hommes- Child Relief