The consultants had beforehand written to the authorities after receiving details about three instances relating to allegations of sexual abuse of a number of youngsters by their fathers and violations in opposition to the moms who sought to guard them.
As well as, the consultants discovered that, in response to the allegations, the kids had been victims of sexual abuse or at excessive danger of sexual abuse by the hands of their fathers or alleged perpetrators in opposition to whom there was credible and disturbing proof of incestuous sexual abuse.
Regardless of the allegations, and within the absence of satisfactory investigations, the kids had 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 with a purpose 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 mentioned.
They urged the French authorities to respect the “precautionary precept” and the “due diligence precept” in youngster safety, significantly throughout authorized proceedings, to permit for a preventive method in instances of uncertainty and complexity.
The views of the kid additionally have to be sought and revered, and their greatest pursuits have to be the primary consideration earlier than custody choices 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 deal with 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 dearth of satisfactory consideration for his or her wants,” they added.
The consultants mentioned they’ve been following the workings of France’s Impartial 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 determine 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 instances, are important and may go hand in hand with efficient coordination between regulation enforcement companies and different service suppliers, holding the most effective pursuits of the kid on the centre of all proceedings or choices affecting or regarding youngsters,” they mentioned.
Recalling that France is a celebration to UN treaties on youngsters’s rights and eliminating discrimination in opposition to ladies, they urged the nation to “implement its obligations beneath these worldwide human rights devices”.
About UN consultants
The consultants who issued the assertion embrace Mama Fatima Singhateh, UN Particular Rapporteur on the sexual abuse of youngsters; Reem Alsalem, Particular Rapporteur on violence in opposition to ladies and ladies, in addition to the members of the UN Working Group on discrimination in opposition to ladies 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 aren’t paid for his or her work.