International Feminist Network
Algerian Women March To Geneva
Call for Support and Solidarity With Mothers of Kidnapped Children
1. Who are we?
We are five mothers of Franco-Algerian children who have been kidnapped by their Algerian fathers. For years, we have gone to courts in Algeria, so that the custody conceded to us by French courts would be recognized in Algeria. As a last resort we have decided to make our cases known to the public.
2. What have been our most outstanding actions?
November 1983: Our attempt to meet the Algerian President during the official visit was repelled by the French police.
July 1984: With some mothers of kidnapped children from several other countries (Belgium, Algeria, Morocco, England, Ireland, Lebanon, Tunisia, Germany and France), we participated in the action "A Boat to Algiers," aimed at forcing the Algerian and French States to sign the bilateral legal convention on the protection of minors. The action was cancelled at the last moment, after both governments promised to negotiate.
March 1985: A small delegation of us, mothers of kidnapped children, went to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in Geneva to denounce the passivity of governments. Argentina and five NGOs denounced the kidnapping during the session, as injuries to human rights, particularly the rights of children. June to November 1985: We, five mothers, occupied the French Embassy in Algiers; this action resulted in some so-called natural or illegitimate children returning to their mothers' homes, and, as an exceptional gesture for Christmas, four of us were allowed to welcome our children home during Christmas holidays. The legal convention has not yet been concluded.
3. What results have we obtained?
Franco-Algerian negotiations began after the action "A Boat to Algiers." Both States agreed on the text of a convention in December 1985, after the occupation of the Embassy. However, this has not yet been signed.
Children's kidnapping still goes on - the parent who has not been granted custody being protected by his government. France, one of the first countries to defend human rights in the world, does not react when the human rights of its own children are threatened.
Government passivity allows these kidnappings to continue. Fathers use their unchallenged customary right of ownership over the children.
4. Why a march to Geneva ?
Because the Commission on Human Rights sits every year in March in Geneva, the mothers intend to present to the Commission recommendations concerning the freedom of movement of children.
The march from Paris to Geneva is to denounce the indifference and the passivity of states in regard to offenses to the Rights of Children. Through this march, we wish to give a new push to the interrupted negotiations and to obtain rapidly the freedom of movement for the children, and the ratification of the legal convention.
We also wish that all people sympathizing with us and supporting our struggle will join us: join us in GENEVA (beginning of March 1987) at the United Nations, give publicity to our action in your country or region, help us financially by funding this action.
FOR THE RESPECT OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
We call on you, all of you, women and men, to be there in Geneva on the 7th, 8th and 9th of March to give international publicity to our rightful demands :
SIGNING OF A LEGAL CONVENTION and FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN ITS TWO PARENTS.
We are looking for your help, your solidarity, to spread information about this 43-day long march to Geneva.
MEET YOU IN GENEVA AT THE BEGINNING OF MARCH 1987 THANK YOU!
Donations to be sent to:
COLLECTIF DE SOLIDARITE AUX MERES DES ENFANTS ENLEVES
4 Square Saint Irenee, 75011 Paris, France.