Greece awards joint custody of children to divorced parents. Credit: AMNAGreece adopted on Thursday a controversial family law that awards joint custody of children to divorced parents, despite the opposition of several human rights groups and opposition parties.The law was voted in Parliament plenary by ruling New Democracy, while all other parties opposed it either…
Αssociated Press
Children ride their bycicles outside the ancient theatre of Herodes Atticus, in Athens during lockdown measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, on Friday, May 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) 5/7/2021 The National Herald
ΑΤΗΕΝS Proposed legislation in Greece to give divorced parents an equal say in child-raising didn t take into consideration how it could jeopardize women and children and victims of domestic violence, Human Rights Watch complained.
The measure was put forth by the ruling New Democracy which controls Parliament, where it will likely be voted upon this month over the warnings fro the activists who said it could lead to lengthy court battles for exceptions.
Human Rights Watch
A bill to amend child custody provisions in Greece’s civil code disregards risks for domestic violence victims that would put women and children in jeopardy, Human Rights Watch said today.
The bill, “Reforms regarding parent-child relations and other family law issues,” is expected to be introduced in parliament in early May 2021. It would redefine the “best interests of the child” in Greek law and presume equal shared custody of children in cases of separation or divorce. Any exceptions, including in cases of domestic violence, would require a potentially lengthy court process. The proposed changes contravene international law, which requires that custody determinations be based on assessment of the best interests of the individual child, and do not ensure sufficient protections for domestic abuse victims and their children.