Child custody case in Morocco

L'affaire du droit de garde d'enfants au Maroc
(Press release no 57/09 translated into French) - pdf

 

On Tuesday, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, talked again to the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Fassi Fihri, and pointed out Norway’s duty to protect two Norwegian minors in fear of their lives. Mr Støre listened to the Moroccan Minister’s version, and they have agreed to maintain contact on this matter.

The Norwegian authorities have been working on this extremely difficult child custody case in Morocco for several years. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been concerned about the safety of the two children for some time. Norway has been in close contact with the Moroccan authorities involved in the case with a view to finding a solution in cooperation and agreement with the Moroccan authorities.

Foreign Minister Støre commented: “The two children went voluntarily to the Norwegian Embassy after threats to their lives. They were allowed to stay there for three days, which is quite out of the ordinary, and indicates the seriousness of the case. They left the Embassy of their own accord, after which the Norwegian authorities had no contact with them, and consequently were not in any way involved with their leaving Morocco.”

Mr Støre also underlined the need to ensure adequate security for the Norwegian Embassy in Rabat and the embassy staff. Embassy employees have received death threats from the children’s father.

“We are taking the threats received by embassy staff very seriously indeed. We have therefore requested Morocco to take all possible precautions to ensure their safety,” Mr Støre added.