Submission from Catherine Mills, Ontario,
Canada
FCO STRATEGIES: INTERNATIONAL
OBLIGATIONS, HUMAN
RIGHTS AND
GOOD GOVERNANCE
While appreciating the scope and complexities
an international community encompasses, I would hope in the context
of accountability the practical applications to currant, reformed
or new legislative action will go beyond another review for further
consideration.
When individuals tacitly assisted by the system
are able to circumvent the rule of law, make a mockery of it and
the governments who are responsible to uphold the legal framework
of local and international obligations; the claim of FCO priorities
effect window dressing, embolden the undermining of law, while
maximizing your contingent liabilities.
Accordingly, 69 states and the European Community
recently agreed to a new global convention on the International
Recovery of Child Support and other Forms of Family Maintenance.*
This important work through the Hague gives practical effect to
the rights of the child. While the UK has been an active participant,
the Overseas Territories are woefully absent in the Convention,
despite the fact most are reciprocating Territories with the UK's
REMO (Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders).
In closing, a loophole that facilitates an open
arms policy, to host and provide haven in a UK Overseas Territory
to those who purposefully seek to evade responsibility, will be
a matter to be addressed through action in the near future.
* http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=events.details&year=2007&varevent=140
31 January 2008
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