The welfare of children should be of paramount consideration while enacting laws concerning them, Supreme Court Judge Justice A. K. Sikri said on Tuesday while chairing a panel discussion on ‘Inter-country Parental Child Removal Issues - The Way Ahead’ at the India International Centre (IIC) here.
Hague convention
Presiding over the discussion organised by Kavita A. Sharma, advocates Anil Malhotra and Ranjit Malhotra, and senior advocate Soli Sorabjee said that India should sign the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Several diplomats also spoke on the issue
Joseph Pomper, Minister Counsellor at the American Embassy in India, talked about the resources available for the victims of domestic violence in his country. He explained how India would benefit if it joined the Hague Convention.
Frank Thierfelder, Head, Consular Section, at the German Embassy in India, described the advantages of signing the Convention. He also talked about how foreign institutions and courts found it difficult to understand the ‘special Indian’ context vis-a-vis the issue.
UGC Emeritus Fellow, Virendra Kumar, cautioned that India should not sign the Hague Convention without keeping in mind the background of Indian laws.
Advocate Ranjit Malhotra said that a middle path should be adopted while signing the convention. Earlier, advocate Anil Malhotra introduced the theme of the discussion by elaborating on the current position of inter-parental child removal issues in India.