tricky_ab

debito.org » Blog Archive » CNN and NBC TODAY Show: American attempts to recover his abducted kids, is turned away from Fukuoka Consulate, arrested for “kidnapping”

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/as...her.abduction/

Tennessee resident Christopher Savoie had his kids taken away from him by his Japanese ex-wife. Despite the fact that he had custody of the kids and she's now a criminal in the States, she brought them to Japan which does not recognizes international child abduction laws. Seeing as there are hundreds of similar cases in which the father never sees the kids again, he decided to take matters into his own hands by returning to Fukuoka and attempting to grab his kids and return to the States. Just as he was making it to the American consulate, he was arrested by police and is currently sitting in jail. Maybe his plan was poorly executed, but I suppose that isn't the big issue...

If there is any good news, it's that this is getting international media attention. I've noticed this story on various media outlets they were all criticizing Japan on not handing over the mother and the kids as she kidnapped them from the US. This is making Japan look very, very bad and I can only hope that this coverage, along with the change in government, can push Japan to sign the Hague treaty. CNN also noted that there have been many cases such as this one and that Japan does not recognize the fact that he got full custody in the US and that SHE is the criminal in the States. They made the mom look pretty bad and made dad look like a hero so I would imagine that Japan is going to want this problem to go away quickly. Still, what this will hold for Savoie, no one knows for sure...

Still, the lack of mainstream news coverage about this incident here makes me really question if anything is going to come of this...at the very least, most 2ch discussions seem to be in support of the father.

Update: debito.org » Blog Archive » Foreign Policy.com on Savoie Case: US Govt advised father Chris to get children to Fukuoka Consulate! Plus lots more media.

Savoie being held in horrible conditions at a Japanese jail, trying to force him to confess to a crime (standard practice here). Also shows that he was advised to bring his kids to the consulate by the US State Department.