State Department's Annual Report on International Child Abduction: Jordan

The U.S. State Department has recently released their annual report on International Child Abduction. Below is our sixth post in a series here focusing on the nine countries classified as “demonstrating patterns of noncompliance.”  Today’s country is Jordan.

Country Summary: Jordan does not adhere to any protocols with respect to international parental child abduction. In 2006, the United States and Jordan signed a Memorandum of Understanding to encourage voluntary resolution of abduction cases and facilitate consular access to abducted children. In 2018, Jordan demonstrated a pattern of noncompliance. Specifically, the competent authorities in Jordan persistently failed to work with the Department of State to resolve abduction cases. As a result of this failure, 67 percent of requests for the return of abducted children remained unresolved for more than 12 months. On average, these cases were unresolved for two years and seven months. Jordan was previously cited for demonstrating a pattern of noncompliance in the 2014-2018 Annual Reports.

Initial Inquiries: In 2018, the Department received eight initial inquiries from parents regarding possible abductions to Jordan for which no additional assistance was requested or necessary documentation was not received as of December 31, 2018.

Significant Developments: In 2018, the Government of Jordan began offering mediation services to parents involved in international parental child abductions through the Family Mediation Directorate. Mediation is voluntary, and both parents must agree to participate. The United States is not aware of any abductions cases that were resolved through this service in 2018. 

Central Authority: In 2018, the competent authorities in Jordan discussed with the United States ways to improve the resolution of pending abduction cases. However, the competent authorities have failed to resolve cases due to a lack of viable legal options, which contributed to a pattern of noncompliance.

Voluntary Resolution: In 2018, four abduction cases were resolved through voluntary means. Location: The Department of State did not request assistance with location from the Jordanian authorities. 

Judicial Authorities: The United States is not aware of any abduction cases brought before the Jordanian judiciary in 2018. Enforcement: The United States is not aware of any abduction cases in which a judicial order relating to international parental child abduction needed to be enforced by the Jordanian authorities.

Department Recommendations: The Department will continue to encourage Jordan to accede to the Convention.