Moldovan government boosts special protection of children against unlawful going abroad, detention

Chisinau, Nov. 13 /MOLDPRES/- Government approved today a draft law on special protection of children against illegal traveling abroad or detention. The bill is aimed to strengthen the protection of children in vulnerable situations related to family disputes and to ensure the application of international norms in this regard, the government's communication department has reported.

The document sets out a clear procedure for handling cases of children's unlawful removal abroad or illegal detention. It also provides for free legal assistance for persons affected by the illegal removal of a child and increased legal support for families in difficulty.

Courts will be able to take additional measures to protect the child, such as taking away a passport or temporarily banning the child from leaving the country when there is a risk of wrongful detention.

At the same time, the new legislation will enable national authorities to work more effectively with international institutions to facilitate the location, protection and, where necessary, safe return of children to their country. The efficient exchange of information will also make it possible to verify the conditions of the child's visit when it takes place outside the country.

Also today, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a draft law on the accession of the Republic of Moldova to an international Convention, under which the decisions of Moldovan courts will be enforceable in other countries, allowing for more effective coordination and reducing the time of intervention and reaction when the interests of the child are harmed.

According to the draft, the wrongful removal of a child is the removal of a child up to the age of 16 from the country of habitual residence for a period of more than 30 days without the written, notarized consent of the other legal representative.