A Stand Against IPCA: iHOPE's Participation in the 8th Annual iSTAND Conference

iHOPE Addresses International Parental Child Abduction on Dual Fronts: Insights from Warsaw and Tripoli

Tripoli, Lebanon / Warsaw, Poland – May 2025 – In a concentrated effort to advance dialogue and solutions regarding International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA) and complex cross-border family matters, iHOPE recently executed two significant initiatives simultaneously. Events were held concurrently in Warsaw, Poland, and Tripoli, Lebanon, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of IPCA issues, particularly as they relate to the Middle East.

Engaging the International Community in Warsaw

On May 18, 2025, iHOPE participated in the “Cross-Border Cooperation in Family Matters within the EU and Parental Child Abduction to Non-Hague Convention Countries” conference. This high-profile event, hosted by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the active framework of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, brought together a key audience of representatives from EU Member States, officials, and legal practitioners.

Representing iHOPE was Atty. Mohamad Al Ayouby, who delivered a presentation focusing on the obstacles encountered in resolving IPCA cases connected to the Middle East. His specific focus on challenges arising within the context of Islamic Law is particularly relevant to the EU context, where legal systems often differ significantly. This presentation served to educate international counterparts on the complexities faced when attempting to facilitate the return or access of children in such cases, fostering a more nuanced understanding essential for potential cooperation.

The conference discussions aimed at exploring pathways for enhanced collaboration and the development of practical solutions for complex cross-border family scenarios, particularly those involving jurisdictions not party to key international conventions.

Deep Dive into Regional Realities in Tripoli

In parallel with the Warsaw conference, on May 15, 2025, iHOPE conducted a specialized seminar in Tripoli, Lebanon. Organized in collaboration with the Human Rights Institute at the Tripoli Bar Association, the seminar bore the title: “International Parental Child Abduction in the Middle East: Challenges and Available Solutions.”

The seminar provided a platform for a focused discussion on the specific dynamics of IPCA within the region, engaging directly with the local legal community. Holding the event at the Tripoli Bar Association underscores iHOPE’s strategy of working closely with legal professionals on the ground, who are often the first point of contact for affected families and critical to implementing any potential solutions.

The program featured presentations designed to offer a comprehensive overview:

Atty. Tatiana Samour initiated the seminar by introducing the core principles and operational concept behind iHOPE’s work.
Atty. Rasha Kayal then provided a presentation that mapped out the legal framework applicable to International Parental Child Abduction in the broader Middle East region, identified prevalent challenges, and discussed potential alternative initiatives beyond traditional litigation.
Atty. Jihane Mansour concluded by focusing specifically on IPCA within Lebanon, presenting case models and exploring strategies utilized to resolve such sensitive cases through the litigation process. The combination of presentations, moving from the conceptual to the regional legal landscape and finally to specific local litigation strategies, reflects a practical approach aimed at equipping local practitioners with actionable knowledge.

A Coordinated Approach Across Continents

Executing events simultaneously in Europe and the Middle East highlights a deliberate, two-pronged strategy by iHOPE. While the Warsaw engagement addressed international policymakers and practitioners on challenges involving non-Hague states (many in the Middle East) from an external, cooperation-focused perspective, the Tripoli seminar tackled the issue internally, focusing on regional legal realities, capacity building within the local legal community, and advocating for solutions from within the Middle East itself. This dual approach underscores iHOPE’s unique position as an organization working to bridge the gap between international standards and regional specificities.

Both events collectively reinforced the urgent need for increased international cooperation and the development of robust legal frameworks and effective alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to protect the rights and welfare of children caught in complex cross-border family disputes.

These recent initiatives demonstrate iHOPE’s continued dedication to raising awareness, fostering constructive dialogue, and implementing practical, regionally informed solutions to combat international parental child abduction.