The consultants had beforehand written to the authorities after receiving details about three circumstances relating to allegations of sexual abuse of a number of youngsters by their fathers and violations towards the moms who sought to guard them.
As well as, the consultants discovered that, in accordance with the allegations, the kids have been victims of sexual abuse or at excessive danger 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 satisfactory investigations, the kids have been positioned within the custody of their fathers.
Abuse allegations undermined
“We’re significantly involved about the best way during which the household court docket has allowed the alleged perpetrator to accuse the mom of parental alienation to be able to undermine the allegations of sexual abuse of the kids and divert consideration from the alleged abuse to which they’re subjecting their companions and youngsters,” the consultants stated.
They urged the French authorities to respect the “precautionary precept” and the “due diligence precept” in baby safety, significantly throughout authorized proceedings, to permit for a preventive strategy in circumstances of uncertainty and complexity.
The views of the kid additionally have to be sought and revered, and their finest pursuits have to be the principle consideration earlier than custody selections are made in favour of 1 father or mother.
Enhance regulation enforcement
The consultants additionally highlighted the necessity to construct the capability of regulation enforcement and justice officers to successfully monitor and tackle human rights abuses affecting these youngsters and their moms.
“Pressing steps have to be taken to alleviate the distressing state of affairs during which youngsters and their moms are being negatively affected by the shortage of satisfactory 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 verify the issues expressed to the Authorities.
Mechanism for complaints
They urged the authorities to ascertain an efficient child-friendly criticism dealing with system and an investigation mechanism to course of victims’ complaints.
“These efforts, together with in divorce and custody circumstances, are important and will go hand in hand with efficient coordination between regulation enforcement companies and different service suppliers, maintaining one of the best pursuits of the kid on the centre of all proceedings or selections affecting or regarding youngsters,” they stated.
Recalling that France is a celebration to UN treaties on youngsters’s rights and eliminating discrimination towards girls, they urged the nation to “implement its obligations beneath these worldwide human rights devices”.
About UN consultants
The consultants who issued the assertion embody Mama Fatima Singhateh, UN Particular Rapporteur on the sexual abuse of kids; Reem Alsalem, Particular Rapporteur on violence towards girls and ladies, in addition to the members of the UN Working Group on discrimination towards girls and ladies.
They obtain their mandates from the UN Human Rights Council and are unbiased from any authorities or group and serve of their particular person capability.
They don’t seem to be UN workers and will not be paid for his or her work.
