The consultants had previously written to the authorities after receiving details about three instances concerning allegations of sexual abuse of a number of kids by their fathers and violations towards the moms who sought to guard them.
As well as, the consultants discovered that, in keeping with the allegations, the youngsters had been victims of sexual abuse or at excessive threat of sexual abuse by the hands of their fathers or alleged perpetrators towards whom there was credible and disturbing proof of incestuous sexual abuse.
Regardless of the allegations, and within the absence of ample investigations, the youngsters had been positioned within the custody of their fathers.
Abuse allegations undermined
“We’re notably involved about the way in which by which the household court docket has allowed the alleged perpetrator to accuse the mom of parental alienation with the intention to undermine the allegations of sexual abuse of the youngsters and divert consideration from the alleged abuse to which they’re subjecting their companions and kids,” the consultants said.
They urged the French authorities to respect the “precautionary precept” and the “due diligence precept” in youngster safety, notably throughout authorized proceedings, to permit for a preventive method in instances of uncertainty and complexity.
The views of the kid additionally should be sought and revered, and their greatest pursuits should be the primary consideration earlier than custody selections are made in favour of 1 mum or dad.
Increase regulation enforcement
The consultants additionally highlighted the necessity to construct the capability of regulation enforcement and justice officers to successfully monitor and handle human rights abuses affecting these kids and their moms.
“Pressing steps should be taken to alleviate the distressing scenario by which kids and their moms are being negatively affected by the shortage of ample consideration for his or her wants,” they added.
The consultants stated they’ve been following the workings of France’s Unbiased Fee on Incest and Sexual Abuse of Youngsters (CIVIISE), whose findings affirm the considerations expressed to the Authorities.
Mechanism for complaints
They urged the authorities to ascertain an efficient child-friendly grievance dealing with system and an investigation mechanism to course of victims’ complaints.
“These efforts, together with in divorce and custody instances, are important and may go hand in hand with efficient coordination between regulation enforcement companies and different service suppliers, preserving one of the best pursuits of the kid on the centre of all proceedings or selections affecting or regarding kids,” they stated.
Recalling that France is a celebration to UN treaties on children’s rights and eliminating discrimination against women, they urged the nation to “implement its obligations below these worldwide human rights devices”.
About UN consultants
The consultants who issued the assertion embrace Mama Fatima Singhateh, UN Special Rapporteur on the sexual abuse of children; Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, in addition to the members of the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls.
They obtain their mandates from the UN Human Rights Council and are impartial from any authorities or group and serve of their particular person capability.
They aren’t UN employees and aren’t paid for his or her work.
