Return Adam to His Family in Bahrain

Universal Children's Day - 20 November

Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS)

10-year-old Adam Jones was "abducted" by his Qatari relatives on 5th October 2009. His British Mother Rebecca is desperately trying to have him returned to her custody.

Mrs. Jones, who lives in The Kingdom of Bahrain with her second husband Barrie, their 4 year old daughter Alex and Adam, was pressed into going to Qatar to visit her late husband’s family.

Rebecca has attested that her son was kidnapped by his father’s brother, who tricked her into signing a document in Arabic, allowing a case to be filed in the court to decide who would have full custody of Adam.This he admitted in front of witnesses.

On Nov 12th, the Qatari Cassation court decided the 10-year-old should live with his grandmother, who is 77 years old and whose late son, Jamal, was Adam’s biological father.

Given that Adam has been raised by Rebecca from birth,the decision to wrench him from the only family that he knows & award him to virtual strangers, is quite incredible and unacceptable for this day and age.

The Convention and ach of the articles below, extracted from Decree No. 54 of 1995 relation to the CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF A CHILD, have been broken in Qatar over Adam’s case.

In the twentieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Child, BHRWS Demaned the Return Adam to His Family in Bahrain

Article 3

In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

State Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well being taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally responsible for him and to this end shall take all appropriate legislative and administrative measures.

Article 7

The child has the right to acquire a nationality and as far as possible the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents.

Article 8

States Parties undertake to respect the right of the child to preserve his or her identity, including nationality, name and family relations as recognized by law without unlawful interference.

Article 9

State Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child.

State parties shall respect the rights of the child who is separated from one or both parents to maintain personal relations and direct contact with the parents on a regular basis except if this is contrary to the child’s best interests.

Article 11

States Parties shall take measures to combat the illicit transfer and non return of children abroad.

Article 12

State Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.

For this purpose the child in particular is provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly or through a representative or appropriate body in a manner consistent with the procedural rule of national law.

Article 14

States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.  States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and when applicable legal guardians to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.

Article 16

No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence.

Article 20

A child temporarily or permanently deprived of his or her family environment or in whose own best interests cannot be allowed to remain in that environment shall be entitled to special protection and assistance provided by the state.

http://bhrws.org/eng/index.php?action=view&page_id=45

www.petitiononline.com/zoomoo99/petition.html

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=166131138491&ref=mf

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  Qatar 'ignored UN child laws'  
  BY REBECCA TORR ,  Posted on » Sunday, November 22, 2009
 

QATAR may have breached United Nations laws on children's rights over its handling of a custody case involving a 10-year-old boy from Bahrain.   Briton Rebecca Jones claims her son Adam was kidnapped by relatives of her late ex-husband during a visit to see his supposedly sick grandmother in Doha last month.   She has not seen him since October 5 when the family of Qatari Jamal Al Madhaiki allegedly snatched him after tricking her into signing an Arabic document, in which she unwittingly agreed to a case contesting custody.   A Qatari court last week awarded custody of the St Christopher's Junior School pupil to his 77-year-old Qatari grandmother Mariam Al Madhaiki.   But the verdict was in direct violation of articles three, seven, eight, nine, 11, 12, 16 and 20 of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Qatar is a signatory, says the Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS).   "Given that Adam has been raised by Rebecca from birth, the decision to wrench him from the only family that he knows and award him to virtual strangers, is quite incredible and unacceptable for this day and age," secretary-general Faisal Fulad told the GDN.   "With my respect to the Qatar system and reforms, regarding Adam they treated the mother as a foreigner and an expatriate and not as a mother. This is discrimination and it's wrong to separate a mother from her children.   "Where are the rights for the child with regard to education - he was a student at St Christopher's School in Bahrain - what about seeing his friends?"   According to article three of the convention: "All actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration."   Article nine states: "State parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child.   "State parties shall respect the rights of the child who is separated from one or both parents to maintain personal relations and direct contact with the parents on a regular basis except if this is contrary to the child's best interests."   According to Article 11: "State parties shall take measures to combat the illicit transfer and non-return of children abroad." Mr Fulad said he was planning to meet Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and lawyers in the UK to discuss Adam's case.   "Many GCC citizens are married to foreigners, so similar cases to Adam's will come up again and again - this issue needs proper study," he said.   Adam's uncle, Fahad Al Madhaiki had earlier told judges he refused to allow Ms Jones to visit her son, saying he was afraid she would try to take him away.   The Qatari Minors Authority is now trying to pave the way for an out-of-court agreement.   Both Ms Jones and Mr Al Madhaiki will appear before the Qatari Cassation Court again tomorrow to learn whether she will be granted a court order to see her son.   Her husband of five years, Barrie, and the couple's four-year-old daughter Alex are currently in Bahrain.   But Ms Jones has remained in Qatar, fearing she will not be allowed back into the country if she leaves.   The BHRWS renewed its demanded for Adam to return to his family in Bahrain at a children's art day held at the society in Manama.   Art's Day for Adam was attended by more than 120 children of several nationalities and was held to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Universal Children's Day, which fell on Friday.   An exhibition of the paintings is expected to be held in one of Bahrain's malls on December 10 on the occasion of Human Rights Day.   BHRWS will also send a message in Arabic, English and French to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and various international human rights groups highlighting human rights cases, including Adam's.   Meanwhile, a petition, which will be sent to the wife of Qatari Amir Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has gathered more than 1,700 signatures.   It was created by Briton Sharon Haji who, alongside her Bahraini husband Ali Haji, set up a Facebook group demanding Adam's return. The group now boasts almost 5,500 members.   To sign the petition, visit www.petitiononline.com/zoomoo99/petition.html, or for more information on the case, visit www.bringadamhome.com.   becky@gdn.com.bh

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=265042

 

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-------------------------------------------------------------------- Balloons go up for Adam   Balloons go up for Adam MANAMA BY DANIEL MUNDEN ,  Posted on » Monday, November 16, 2009   HUNDREDS of yellow balloons were yesterday released by schoolmates of a 10-year-old boy, who was allegedly kidnapped in Qatar last month. Briton Rebecca Jones lost a bid to be reunited with her 10-year-old son last Thursday, after a Cassation Court in Doha awarded full custody to his 77-year-old grandmother. Despite last week's blow, the campaign to bring Adam home to Bahrain was in full swing yesterday. Campaigners at the St Christopher's Junior School, in Saar, also wore T-shirts, sporting the slogan 'Bring Adam Back Home', while yellow ribbons were tied around hands as a sign of support. The yellow ribbon is an international symbol of those who are waiting for the return of loved ones. Mrs Jones said it was unlikely that she would be able to join the protests or other events being held as part of the campaign in Bahrain. "I fear that I will be refused entry into Qatar if I leave," she told the GDN from Doha. "That would be my worst nightmare and although it is putting severe financial strain on my family, leaving would seem like giving up the fight - which I will never do." Mrs Jones said she had already seen pictures of yesterday's campaign, which was attended by her second husband of five years, Barrie, and their four-year-old daughter Alex. She said she was truly touched by the continued support of the Bahraini community. "It is wonderful, but heartbreaking at the same time, it is the sort of thing that Adam loves. "It has been incredible that the whole community has got behind us and just knowing that we're not on our own has made the fight that little bit easier. It gives us some hope to see people organising events like this and it gives me the strength to keep on fighting for my little boy." Camera crews from British news agency ITN were present at yesterday's event. Mrs Jones said international media coverage would make the case too difficult for Qatari authorities to ignore. "Being in Qatar has taken its toll on our family, I haven't seen Alex in over six weeks and although she's just a baby she's getting distressed," she said. "She keeps on asking when I'm coming home with Adam and she's finding it very difficult to understand why we're gone. "It's heart-wrenching, but we've got to keep on fighting. I dream of the day when I can get on a plane from Qatar and bring my son home." Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) secretary-general Faisal Fulad, who has intervened in the case, said events like the one held at the school acted as a great sign of unity and would give the Jones family the drive to keep on fighting against the injustice. "Seeing children, parents and school teachers standing against something which is wrong is a special and amazing thing," he said. "It sends out a message to send Adam home, which the BHRWS fully supports." Mr Fulad said the BHRWS would be using whatever means at its disposal, including approaching international lawyers and contacting human rights groups locally and internationally. Meanwhile, a St Christopher's School spokeswoman told the GDN that although it had allowed the campaigners to use its premises, it had no official stance on what had occurred and had no further comment. A petition is also about to be sent to Qatari Amir Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Premier and Foreign Minister Shaikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani and British Premier Gordon Brown. Meanwhile, a Facebook group demanding that Adam be returned to his family has grown to nearly 4,000 members, just a fortnight after it was created. The Jones family lawyer earlier submitted several documents supporting their case, including some relating to Adam's schooling in Bahrain. danm@gdn.com.bh http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=264033   ----------------------------------------------------------------------- A BRITISH mother pledged yesterday to continue fighting after losing custody of her boy, who was allegedly "abducted" by relatives in Qatar. Bahrain-based Rebecca Jones claims Adam was "kidnapped" after she was duped into travelling to Qatar to visit his supposedly sick grandmother. The heartbroken Mrs Jones was praying the Cassation Court in Doha would grant her custody of her 10-year-old son yesterday, but it instead awarded full custody to the boy's 77-year-old grandmother. It took an overwhelmed Mrs Jones five hours to recover from the initial shock of the verdict and to speak to the GDN. She described yesterday's court hearing as the worst day of her life, but pledged to never give up the fight to get back the son she raised. "I am absolutely devastated. They have taken away my only son," she said from her hotel room in Doha. "It was one of the worst days of my life and I will never forget how they took my child away from me. "I will not accept this verdict because in my mind Adam is my son and will always be mine. "I will always fight for him and I want justice to be served against the person who took my child away from me." Mrs Jones said she was expecting yesterday's outcome and was prepared to do the impossible to get the St Christopher's Junior School pupil back. "I was expecting the outcome because they (Qatari relatives) were laughing and smiling before they even entered the courtroom," she said. "I will never give up the fight and will exhaust any resources I have to try and see Adam. "This has ruined his life - I don't matter at this moment - but Adam does. No one is thinking of him. Where is he? What's he doing or thinking? "My only goal is to get Adam back in my arms." The Jones' have applied to get visitation rights from the court, but the judge rejected their request. "But we will never give up and I will continue pleading to see my son until someone listens to me," said Mrs Jones. She added that the support she was receiving from people in Bahrain and overseas was the beckon of hope she needed to get through the next few days without her son. Mrs Jones said her four-year-old daughter, Alex, was missing her brother and asks about him everyday. "She's too young to understand what's going on, but she is aware of the situation," said Mrs Jones. "She keeps asking about Adam and when he will come back home." Mrs Jones is planning to launch an international campaign and will hold a Press conference in Doha tomorrow. Meanwhile, a distraught Mr Jones vowed to appeal against the verdict and never give up the fight to get Adam back. "We still haven't received the reasons behind the verdict and don't know if it includes visitation rights," she said. "But as soon as we get our hands on that, we will appeal and launch a plea to see our son. Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society secretary-general Faisal Fulad, who has pledged to intervene in the case, was present at yesterday's hearing. He had announced earlier plans to launch an international campaign with major human rights groups if the court fails to grant Mrs Jones visitation rights within the coming weeks. "The society is standing behind Mrs Jones' struggle to get her son back and we will not give up now," he said from Qatar. "This is just a temporary setback and I am planning to launch an international campaign to raise awareness of the issue among international human rights groups. "Everything about this case goes against the rights of human beings and taking a child away from the mother violates the rights of the child. "The court hasn't implemented the law in this case." "This has certainly affected Adam greatly because he has been taken away from his family, his life, his friends and everything he holds dearly in Bahrain. "It could make him go into isolation, feel depressed and abandoned. "I am worried about his well-being and what this separation would do to both the mother and son." Meanwhile, Mrs Jones' mother Jill, who flew in from Australia to be with her daughter, was frustrated at the verdict and promised to get Adam back to her daughter. "I love my grandson very much and I promise with every dying breath that I will fight for him and bring him back to his loving family," she told the GDN. Mrs Jones claims that on the day she was due to return to Bahrain with Adam, who has dual British and Qatari nationality, she received a call for him to visit his ill grandmother. She maintains that she was tricked into signing legal papers in Arabic, which allowed the Qatari family to file for custody of Adam. The Jones' lawyer earlier submitted several documents supporting her case, including some relating to his schooling in Bahrain. Papers showing he had enrolled in several programmes to learn about Arab culture were also presented to the judge, as part of the Qatari family's case centres around the fact that they believe it is wrong for him to be attending a British school. noor@gdn.com.bh   Mother loses custody in ‘kidnap’ case By Peter Townson Staff Reporter Yesterday, the court decided the 10-year-old should live with his grandmother, Miriam al-Juma, whose late son, Jamal al-Mudhaiki, was Adam’s biological father. However, Rebecca Jones – originally from Sheffield in the UK, but now living in Bahrain – has pledged that she would persist in campaigning to get her son back, promising to “continue to fight for justice” Rebecca Jones and Adam A British woman, whose son was at the centre of an alleged “kidnap plot” has expressed her devastation at a Qatari Cassation Court’s decision to award full custody of her child to his 77-year-old Qatari grandmother. http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=325974&version=1&template_id=57&parent_id=56

Rights group vows support for Adam 

A LEADING Bahrain human rights society has joined the cause of a 10-year-old boy, allegedly abducted in Qatar over a month ago.

Briton Adam Jones was reportedly kidnapped by relatives of her deceased husband on October 3, during a visit to Doha with his mother Rebecca.

She claims her son was abducted after they were duped into visiting his supposedly sick grandmother and is launching an international campaign to get him back.

The Cassation Court in Doha last week refused to give Ms Jones temporary custody of her son, who attends St Christopher's Junior School.

Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) secretary general Faisal Fulad has now pledged to intervene in the case after speaking with Ms Jones.

"There are international laws designed to stop these sorts of cases and it is all the more upsetting because this boy is a minor," he said.

"Adam should not be apart from his family for one day let alone a whole month.

"I am going to go to Qatar and speak with other human rights activists to drum up support."

Mr Fulad said that he would also be present at tomorrow's custody hearing and would be giving his advice wherever appropriate.

Ms Jones told the GDN from Qatar yesterday that she had been attempting to gain access to Adam, but was denied by his Qatari relatives.

She thanked Mr Fulad for making the effort to come to Qatar and take an active role in the case.

"We've been going through a very dark time and Mr Fulad's arrival is a beacon of light at the end of a long tunnel.

Ms Jones said that a petition had been sent to Qatari Amir Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Premier and Foreign Minister Shaikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and British Premier Gordon Brown.

Meanwhile, a Facebook group demanding that Adam be returned to his family yesterday was hit by over 2,000 members, just a week after it was created.

Ms Jones claims that on the day she was due to return to Bahrain with Adam, who has dual British and Qatari nationality, she received a call for him to visit his ill grandmother.

Adam later called to confirm that he had arrived safely and she was told he would return to her after one hour, she says.

The 43-year-old was then allegedly asked by one of Adam's uncles to meet him to discuss an issue surrounding her son's inheritance.

She maintains that she was tricked into signing legal papers in Arabic, which allowed the Qatari family to file for custody of Adam.

The 77-year-old grandmother then filed for full custody of the boy, according to Ms Jones.

The Jones have been living in Doha since then, leaving the couple's four-year-old daughter Alex in Bahrain with her nanny.

Her lawyer earlier submitted several documents supporting her case, including some relating to his schooling in Bahrain.

Papers showing he had enrolled in several programmes to learn about Arab culture were also presented to the judge, as part of the Qatari family's case centres around the fact that they believe it is wrong for him to be attending a British school.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=263723
 
 
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/search.aspx?qry=Adam
 

http://www.google.com.qa/search?hl=ar&q=Rebecca+Jones+adam+mother&start=40&sa=N

Rights group vows support for Adam

A LEADING Bahrain human rights society has joined the cause of a 10-year-old boy, allegedly abducted in Qatar over a month ago.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/newsdetails.aspx?storyid=263723

Fundraising drive launched to help bring Adam home

FRIENDS and family of a 10-year-old Briton, allegedly abducted in Qatar last month, have launched a fundraising drive to help him bring home.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/newsdetails.aspx?storyid=263641

Campaign drive to bring 'kidnapped' Adam home

FAMILY and friends of a 10-year-old boy, allegedly abducted in Qatar over a month ago, launched a campaign yesterday (Nov 8) demanding his return.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/newsdetails.aspx?storyid=263568

Bring Adam home..!

MANAMA: Support is pouring in for the family of a St Christopher's Junior School pupil, who has allegedly been kidnapped in Qatar.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/newsdetails.aspx?storyid=263564

Authorities must act over Adam's kidnap ordeal

Can someone please explain how, in all of humanity, is it possible for Adam's Qatari relatives to kidnap him without immediate action from Qatari authorities. 'Kidnap agony for mother' (GDN, October 28).

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/newsdetails.aspx?storyid=263083

Do the right thing - for Adam's sake

As I write this, a 10-year-old boy is

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/newsdetails.aspx?storyid=263014

New fears for 'kidnap' boy Adam

A CHILD allegedly abducted by relatives in Qatar could suffer long-term psychological damage unless he is returned to his mother soon, it was claimed yesterday. Briton Rebecca Jones claims her 10-year-old son Adam was abducted three weeks ago after she was duped into travelling to visit his supposedly sick grandmother.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/newsdetails.aspx?storyid=262955

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/ArchiveNewsDetails.aspx?date=11/12/2009&storyid=263785  http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=263845   http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=263826   http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=263843