JEDDAH — A forum on personal status cases concluded here recently with six recommendations. The forum discussed a number of issues, including travel restrictions faced by children under custody of either parent. "The forum looked into the rights and responsibilities of children, mothers and fathers. The forum also discussed issues of alimony and visitation right. The forum concluded that it was of paramount importance to empower personal status courts with more judges and staff members," said a source. The forum said personal status court judges and staff need special training to handle family disputes, which often concern delicate matters. "The forum also called for the importance of reconciliation in personal status cases. Personal status courts should take into account the social structure when it comes to family disputes. The forum also said the court buildings are in need of renovation and should be equipped with the latest technology," said the source. The source said the court buildings should be suitable for reassure children and senior citizens who walk into them emotionally disturbed. The forum also concluded there must be campaigns to raise awareness of rights and responsibilities of individuals and families. The forum was attended by several experts in the field. Former Head of Rabigh Court Abdullah Al-Harby presented a paper on travel obstacles faced by divorcees and children under their custody. Al-Harby said children with a non-Saudi parent face more difficulties in court than children with both Saudi parents. "There are incidents where the mother has to give up custody in order to be granted divorce. These rulings are invalid as women have the right to demand divorce without having to compromise any of their rights," Al-Harby said, adding that there are more and more divorce cases documented through social media. Al-Harby said tribal incompatibility suits are not supported by law and women have the right to sue their fathers who prevent them from getting married. Hamad Al-Razin, vice president of a Riyadh court, said there was a need for more channels to raise legal awareness in society. "People should also be careful not to post pictures on social media as they could be convicted of crimes they are unaware of," said Al-Razin. Al-Razin said a man was sentenced to six months in prison for posting a picture in a What'sApp group and on Twitter. The forum ended with a graduation ceremony for 100 lawyers in various areas in the Kingdom. The forum also included the signing of an agreement between Takamul Initiative and Family Protection to support domestic violence cases, said the source.
