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Family Reunion Project
CFAB has, since 1997, developed a special project for families whose children have been abducted to Libya. With the co-operation of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Libyan Government, CFAB facilitates and supervises an annual family reunion in Libya, between the children and family members in the UK.
The cooperation between CFAB and the Libyan Ministry responsible for Child Welfare ensures ease of access to the country and the co-operation of the fathers and families in Libya. CFAB staff provide support and counselling for the families during the visit, and on an ongoing basis between visits.
Watch "The Road to Libya", our film about the project.
Libya is just one of many countries whose legal system does not allow for the return of a child to his/her country of usual residence following an abduction, nor does it easily facilitate ongoing relationships between both parents and the children. Many countries have not signed up to international agreements concerning child abduction, so the abduction of a child to one of these countries poses particular problems, and a resolution in law may be impossible.
Islamic law grants the father sole legal guardianship; restricts contacts with the mother to within that country; restricts access of the mother (if non-Muslim) and ensures that the children can only leave the country with the father's consent. For many mothers ongoing contact with their abducted children may thus be impossible, unless they receive the sort of help offered by this project.
There are no other similar projects in operation and, for some women, an CFAB Family Reunion Project may be the only hope they have of ever seeing their children again.
CFAB is in discussion with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office about extending this project into other Islamic countries where there are a significant number of children abducted from the UK. As with Libya, we would work within local laws and recognise the authority of the host government.
Libya Family Reunion Project: 2008 Report
The Role of CFAB
Most referrals in this category come from individuals, and each person is offered the direct support of an CFAB social worker. For people facing such painful situations on their own, this can be the most valuable help. In addition, CFAB has expert knowledge in this field and can give guidance on the relevant legislation, and can make links with the appropriate authorities and agencies in the UK and abroad.
Mary
Mary had suffered from domestic violence but persevered with the marriage. She had a son and two daughters with the husband who ended up abducting the children to Libya and preventing contact. All her efforts to get the children back or even to visit them had failed. CFAB persuaded Mary to join what is now an annual trip to Libya, and after eight long years she was able to re-establish contact with her children.