Opening remarks, Regional Conference on Family Protection 12th and 13th of April 2010. Held by Public Security Directorate and Family Protection Department of the Jordanian Police with support from the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme
A heartfelt welcome to all of you to this international conference on “Family Protection”, organized by the Public Security Directorate of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with support from the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme. I wish to thank the Public Security Directorate and the Family Protection Department for their continued cooperation and for hosting this important conference.
It is with pleasure that I as representative of the Danish Government take part in the opening of this 2-day conference bringing together professionals from many countries in the region. Working together with dedication and high professionalism, to protect children and families from abuse and violence is a common cause. This event is an opportunity to learn from the initiatives taken in each of your respective countries as well as from Jordan in the field of family protection. Thank you for your dedication to share and to be inspired by one another.
Over the years Jordan has made pioneering efforts in establishing mechanisms and cross sector cooperation to address the issue of family protection. The ground breaking Jordanian model rests on close cooperation between the efforts of police and the efforts of other professionals such as forensic doctors, social workers and civil society. Close cooperation not only between different sectors but also across countries contribute to the understanding of this complex, sensitive and tragic phenomenon of domestic violence.
More significantly, the Family Protection Department who is spearheading the Jordanian efforts, is actively working to continuously improve and professionalise their working methods, expand their collaboration to NGO’s and advance their credibility and trust in the Jordanian population. This willingness to constantly improve is something we all could learn from.
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Violence in the family – including sexual abuse of children and women – is a global problem. As parents, as family members, as citizens and professionals – it must be our priority to do what we can to protect our children and our families from violence and abuse.
Children’s rights and family protection are complex and sensitive issues in most societies. Quite often decision makers are reluctant to take the necessary measures to fully protect children and women. In many instances the family is considered a sacred entity and interference in family affairs is a cultural taboo.
In Jordan, however, the prevention of domestic violence is a concern which receives support from the highest level. His Majesty King Abdullah II has stated that violence against women and children is a red line; it is not to be crossed. To quote His Majesty from a statement he made less than 3 weeks ago “We should continue to consolidate the legislative and cultural environment that guarantees the protection of women and children’s rights, and end any violation of those rights”
This conference being held under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania reinforces this commitment.
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On the Danish side we are particular proud to work together in partnership in this important endeavor. The cooperation between the Family Protection Department and Save the Children Denmark is part of a cooperation involving more than 120 Danish civil society organizations and public institutions, working under the umbrella of the Danish-Arab Partnership program supported by the Danish Government. The Partnership Program is a major policy initiative launched by the Danish Government in 2003. The philosophy behind is to enhance understanding, collaboration and partnership with countries and institutions in the Middle East and North Africa. A guiding principle for the entire program is that cooperation shall be based on common values.
I hope in the years to come, that the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its citizens as well as the countries and its citizens of all of us present here today, will harvest the fruits of the efforts we together are investing in this cooperation on fighting domestic violence. This conference presents an opportunity for all participants to present their perspectives, exchange ideas and develop a new vision for the future of cross sectional partnerships benefiting women and children in the region.
I wish you a successful and beneficial conference and all the best in the continued efforts to establish appropriate and efficient mechanisms in the fight against family violence. Protecting the Family is one of our common values.
Dear Mr. Thomas Fouad Lund-Sørensen,
Since you brought it up and talked about this subject, I have a profound desire to know your opinion about what happened most recently to the Jordanian family in Sweden.
To make a long story short, a Jordanian Muslim family (Parents and 4 kids) are living in Sweden. Few weeks back, the mother was hanging out with her kids and while they were in the bus, the mother shouted on one of the kids to come down and stop being so naughty. Apparently this annoyed a well-connected Swedish lady who came and started arguing with the mother. After that, the Swedish police came to the house and took away the 4 kids from their parents. The Swedish court and police claim that these 4 kids are under violence (Only claiming!). They did NOT provide any single evidence.
I have read the story from Jordanian resources, Therefore, I can’t really judge because Islam teaches that before making any personal judgement, the story must be heard from both sides. However, I tried to check some English or Swedish resources but unfortunately I didn’t find any.
The story shattered my heart, I am not a father though. You Mr. Thomas a father, how would you feel if someone took away your three boys?
If there are signs on the kids’ bodies such as: burning, beating or any kind of inhuman treatment, then, I am 112% supporter to the Swedish action. Simply because such people don’t deserve to be parents.
*** BUT, if the decision has been made based on: stereotypes about Muslims, or because the mother wears Hijab, or anything the like, then, this is really sad and it deeply hurts.
The source of the story is: (http://www.addustour.com/ViewTopic.aspx?ac=%5CLocalAndGover%5C2010%5C04%5CLocalAndGover_issue913_day11_id227687.htm).