In December 2022, my life was turned upside down. My wife took our daughter and relocated to Saudi Arabia without my consent. Since then, I have faced countless legal and emotional hurdles trying to bring her back home to the United States. Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which means that my options for legal recourse are limited.

The Hague Convention is a vital international treaty that seeks to protect children from international abduction by a parent. It facilitates the prompt return of abducted children to their habitual residence, ensuring that custody decisions are made in the appropriate jurisdiction. However, not all countries are signatories, creating serious challenges for parents like myself who are trying to reunite with their abducted children.

According to the U.S. Department of State, over 200,000 parental child abduction cases are reported each year globally. While the Convention is instrumental in many of these cases, its effectiveness is severely undermined by non-member countries. Without global enforcement, children remain at risk, and parents are left devastatingly helpless.

We urge the United States government and politicians around the world to take decisive action and demand that all nations, including those in the Middle East, become signatories to the Hague Convention. This action will strengthen international collaboration and provide a clearer path to resolve parental abduction cases swiftly and efficiently.

Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable environment, and every parent deserves the right to seek justice when faced with the anguish of child abduction. By expanding the reach of the Hague Convention, we can protect thousands of children and families across the globe.

Please join me in this crucial initiative to demand change. Sign this petition today to help prevent further cases of international parental child abduction and to support affected families in their quest for justice. Together, we can make a difference and uphold the rights of parents and children worldwide.