Family Tribunal celebrates successes but recognises weaknesses |28 November 2013

The Family Tribunal this week marks 15 years of existence and a ceremony to celebrate its achievements, assess its weaknesses, challenges and reward long-serving staff was organised on Tuesday afternoon in the auditorium of the University of Seychelles’ School of Education at Mont Fleuri.

It was on November 28, 1998 that the Family Tribunal held its first sitting after its establishment following an amendment to the Children’s Act.
Among its founders were former minister William Herminie, the patron of the National Council for Children Geva Rene and judge D. Karunakaran.

Its aim was to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of children in the many dysfunctional families across Seychelles regardless if they are born in or out of wedlock.

The ceremony on Tuesday also paid tribute to the pioneers of the tribunal who stood firm in their decision and principles and their belief that all children should be maintained by both parents and that the tribunal should maintain these despite the opposition of many in the legal field.

Present at the ceremony were ministers, principal secretaries, the ambassador for women and children Erna Athanasius, key personalities from the legal profession, staff of the tribunal among other guests.

Designated Minister Vincent Meriton, who is also the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports who has twice held the portfolio of the tribunal – in 2004 as health minister and 2012 to now under the ministry he holds, hailed the work of the institution through remarks he made at the start of the ceremony.

“Today I want to underline the difference the tribunal has made in countless lives in Seychelles. I want to pay tribute to those who showed courage, and despite the opposition of many in the legal field, they held firm,” said Minister Meriton.

He pointed out that in a perfect society there would be no need for a Family Tribunal.
“But ours, just like the many societies and communities across the world, is not perfect. But what we believe, is that children should never pay for, or become the victims of the imperfections of human relationships,” Minister Meriton added.

He stated that the Family Tribunal is itself not the perfect solution to the problems we face but he stressed that over the last 15 years, it has been and it is undeniably our best option to uphold the best interests of the child principle, through the proper maintenance of the law.

Minister Meriton went on to explain that one of the strengths of the tribunal over the years has been its ability to be flexible and remain responsive.

“This in-built characteristic has ensured that as our society changes, as social problems become more complicated, the Family Tribunal itself has remained relevant,” added the minister.  

He stressed that it is not just children who are the direct beneficiaries of this institution but following the enactment of the Family Violence Act of 2000, the Family Tribunal has been empowered to make orders to protect victims of family violence.

Among its weaknesses and challenges are;  the fact that in painful family conflicts the tribunal has to take decisions it considers the best option for the child and this often makes the institution unpopular, the concept of mediation introduced in the tribunal’s  process has not been effective and needs to be further developed and the fact that the tribunal has never operated in a full-time manner due to its inability to attract the suitable candidates, has meant that there is an added pressure to hear the cases within a reasonable amount of time.

Andy Jean-Louis, a local consultant commissioned by the institution to make an assessment of its role and significance during the 15 years of the tribunal existence, presented his findings to the audience.

Minister Meriton presented a long service award to Jenna Labrosse, now a registration officer who has been working with the tribunal since its creation while six other members of staff received awards and certificate for working between 10 and 14 years.

Donald Larue, a father who had received custody of his daughter thanks to the help of the tribunal, gave a brief testimony of the process he went through.

The ceremony, which was marked by different songs by the tribunal’s choir, ended with a vote of thanks and distribution of a newsletter the tribunal has produced for the occasion.

Meanwhile activities to mark the tribunal’s anniversary continues today with an open day starting at 9am at its Victoria House headquarters.