The U.S. State Department has just issued its 2017 Annual Report on International Parental Child Abduction under the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA). The following is the Country Summary and related information from the eighth country listed as “Noncompliant” in the report, Jordan:

Country Summary: Jordan does not adhere to any protocols with respect to international parental child abduction. In 2006, the United States and Jordan signed a Memorandum of Understanding to encourage voluntary resolution of abduction cases and facilitate consular access to abducted children. In 2016, Jordan demonstrated a pattern of noncompliance. The United States formally notified the Jordanian government of nine abduction cases in January of 2016. These cases have been open for an average of four and a half years, with the longest open for more than 12 years. Jordanian authorities have not responded to the U.S. request for assistance in resolving these abduction cases. Jordan has been cited as non-compliant since 2014.

Central Authority: In 2016, the competent authorities in Jordan demonstrated a pattern of noncompliance by regularly declining to work toward the resolution of pending abduction cases. Jordanian authorities have not responded to applications for assistance with the return of children presented to them in 2016. Further, authorities have not discussed the larger issue of international parental child abduction nor addressed remedies for left-behind parents in general.

Voluntary Resolution: In 2016, three abduction cases were resolved through voluntary means. Location: The Department of State did not formally request assistance with location from the Jordanian authorities.

Judicial Authorities: The Department is aware of three cases where left-behind parents sought remedies through Jordanian courts. In two cases, the left-behind parents sought and were granted temporary access orders while they worked to affect the return of their children to their habitual residences. In another case, the left-behind parent started custody proceedings in Jordanian courts, which are still ongoing.

Enforcement: The United States is not aware of any abduction cases in which a judicial order relating to international parental child abduction needed to be enforced by the Jordanian authorities.

Department Recommendations: The Department will continue its efforts to persuade Jordan to accede to the Convention and expand public diplomacy activities related to the resolution of cases. The Department also recommends an emphasis on preventing abductions.