Minister of Justice Henriksson discussed cooperation in the application of the Convention on Child Abduction in Russia
The Finnish Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson met with the Russian Minister of Justice Alexander Konovalov in Moscow today. The Ministers agreed to continue cooperation between the Ministries of Justice. They also agreed on the concrete measures to be taken during the next two years. Furthermore, Henriksson's discussions in Moscow dealt with the launch of cooperation between the Finnish and Russian authorities required for the application of the Hague Convention on Child Abduction.
- I am very pleased that the Convention on Child Abduction begins to be applied between Finland and Russia at the beginning of the next year. A working mechanism for handling these cases between our countries will thus be established. It is now extremely important to launch cooperation in these matters between the central authorities. We have taken a significant step towards this goal during my visit here in Russia, says Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson.
The main objective of the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction is to secure that wrongfully removed children are promptly returned to the state of their habitual residence. The court begins to handle any disputes between the parents concerning the child only after the child has been returned to the stateof his or her habitual residence.
Russia has also acceded to the so-called Hague Convention on Protection of Children, which will enter into force for Russia at the beginning of June 2013. Effective application of both the Conventions requires that the activities of the central authorities be developed and that closer cooperation between these authorities be sought.
The Finnish and the Russian Minister of Justice also discussed the possibilities to develop the procedure for the transfer of sentenced persons between the countries. The Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons is in force between the countries, but the procedure takes a long time. The Ministers agreed to have more cooperation in this field so that the transfers of sentenced persons could in future be carried out more effectively.
The transfer of sentenced persons without their consent was discussed in the light of the application of the Additional Protocol to the Convention.
- In order to improve the cooperation between Finland and Russia, it would be important that Russia remove the limitation it has made to the Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. The limitation on the scope of application means that the Additional Protocol is without any practical significance in the relations between Finland and Russia. The transfer of sentenced persons to their home country to serve their sentence promotes the integration of these persons into society, Henriksson emphasises.
The Ministers also discussed the legislation regulating the activities of NGOs and the impacts of the legislation.
Further information:
Robin Harms, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. 02951 50176
Marina Venäläinen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. 02951 50236
E-mail: [email protected]