ANKARA - Turkish Parliament adopted Thursday the bill on international cooperation regarding the prevention of child abduction.
According to the bill, Turkish Ministry of Justice, on behalf of the applicant, will carry out the proceedings to hand over the abducted children who are under the age of 16.
The ministry, through public prosecutors' offices, will take necessary precautions to find a solution between the parties or to ensure the return of the child. If it is not possible, prosecutors will file lawsuits on behalf of the ministry.
The court will take temporary precautions until the end of the case. Accordingly, the child will be given to one of the parents or a confidential family or private and official child care institutions.
The court may arrive at a verdict that the applicant and the child can temporarily hold personal contact until the final court decision.
The court decision on the return of the child will not cover any clauses about parental rights. The decision on parental rights will be left to the country which will take over the child. But the court may make a judgement regarding parental rights, if the demand for return is turned down.
If a suit was filed regarding care and protection order during the lawsuit filed for the return of the child, the court will first handle the lawsuit regarding the return of the child.
If the abductor is not found, tho court decision will be enforced in absence. Abductor will have to show possible whereabouts and if he/she does not, whereabouts will be searched or unlocked by force.
Officials will take care of abductee's mental and physical health, while taking protective precautions.
Provisions of this law will be applied regarding cases occurred after August 1st, 2000.