By Emily Smith - 2nd October 2003
Brussels has taken steps to protect children who are abducted by one of their parents.
Justice ministers meeting on Friday approved new laws on parental responsibility, which make it easier for abducted children to go back home.
The move also put an end to legal wrangling between the two member states involved, by insisting that the court in the country where the child lived before being abducted has the power to decide what should happen next.
Child abduction by a parent is increasingly widespread, as more and more Europeans work in countries other than their own or have children with a foreign partner.
Under the new laws, abducted children, as well as both parents, must be heard before a court decision is taken.
But it will not be possible to challenge any decision once it has been made.
The directive also sets out visiting rights for parents living in another member state than their child.
It will come into effect on March 1 2004.
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