These experts ask the authorities to “tackle discriminatory treatment and violence suffered by mothers who try to protect their children from sexual predation”.
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A warning shot welcomed by the associations. Independent UN experts have called on France to “act urgently” to protect children against incest and support their mothers, Friday January 19.
These experts – two special rapporteurs and the five experts from the Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls – ask the French authorities to “tackle the discriminatory treatment and violence suffered by mothers who try to protect their children from sexual predation”.
“Despite credible allegations of sexual abuse and incestuous violence against children by their fathers, France has shown little regard for precautionary principles and the best interests of the child”, they accuse. These experts are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, but they do not speak on behalf of the organization.
“Mothers are punished (…) for trying to protect their children”
The experts rely on three cases of mothers prosecuted for having removed the children from their respective fathers, accused of sexual or physical and psychological violence. They “found that children are allegedly victims of sexual abuse or at high risk of sexual abuse by their fathers or alleged perpetrators, against whom there is credible and disturbing evidence of abuse incestuous sex”.
Yet, “despite these allegations, and in the absence of an adequate investigation, these children are placed in the custody of the fathers against whom the allegations are made, and the mothers are sanctioned for child abduction for trying to protect their children” denounce the experts.
They urge the authorities to respect the “precautionary principle” and the “principle of due diligence” in child protection matters, particularly during legal proceedings. The child’s opinion must be sought and respected, and the child’s best interests must be the primary consideration, they insist.