Happy Parenting Malta for Happier Children (HPMHC) has said that it notes “with great displeasure” that the authorities are not doing enough to help families in cases of parental alienation aiming at withholding access of children to the other parent.

In a statement, HPMHC has referred to a sitting on Monday of the Magistrates’ Criminal Court dealing with child access and maintenance issues, during which its said that around 100 cases were deferred to the end of October as the Court’s recording equipment in Hall 26 where these sittings are usually held malfunctioned immediately at around 9.15am.

HPMHC said that the technician was reported to be on vacation leave. “To our understanding, this means that some parents may end up not seeing their children this summer thanks to the malfunctioned equipment.”

It stressed that “if that is the case, it is a disgrace to a country that aspires to be among the best in Europe in 2020.”

HPMHC called on the authorities to act and to “ensure that the courts are adequately equipped both in terms of equipment and human resources so that these cases proceed at a faster rate.”

Happy Parenting Malta for Happier Children concluded by also asking the authorities what they are going to do, to provide an adequate remedy to those who cannot see their children because of the said delays. “Shall families remain separated for another three months thanks to a malfunction recorder?”

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