Roll out the McCanns! Somebody mentioned the word "abduction."!!!

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Above: Kate and Gerry McCann in Strasbourg, June 2008


Well, the UK finally gets around to introducing an alert system for missing children.

Sky News April 4th

"Police will unveil a new nationwide alert system for enlisting the public to help them rescue abducted children next month."

An alert system has been active in some member states of the EU for some time now. In fact, Portugal was the second country after Hungary, to introduce an alert system in 2002, in accordance with an EU directive. (SOS Madeleine McCann blog )

In June 2008, the McCanns went to Strasbourg to gather support for a Europe-wide system, based on the American Amber Alert. They presented a written declaration to the Commission, but this was not their own work, rather it had been drawn up by Edward McMillan-Scott, then Vice-President of the European Parliament, but presented by the media-savvy, media magnets, the McCanns.

The McCanns had simply tried to hijack an initiative that had already been working its way through the European Parliament for some time, turn it into something else and claim it as their own.

"McCann wanted to seize “a policy that is already being enforced”

"The McCann couple launched a public relations campaign, trying to 'seize' a policy that is already being enforced..." accused the member of the European Parliament, Carlos Coelho, member of the Christian-Democrat group in the European Parliament and Party colleague of President Barroso. And this MEP knows what he is talking about, as he was among the 54 deputies who had adopted, in a committee session, the European strategy concerning children’s rights, a document which was approved on January 2008.

The “written declaration” to which McMilan-Scott agreed to associate Kate and Gerry McCann thus does not contain anything new, when compared with the legislative project of the European institutions." (Duarte Levy and Paulo Reis)

The McCanns in Strasbourg in 2008 were rather like the man who knocked my door the other day, trying to interest me in double glazing, to whom I pointed out my rather new windows! But oh dear! How were those crusading, never mind that we left our children alone "responsible parents," received? Those ungrateful deputies and journalists just kept asking questions about the night Madeleine disappeared and some even asked about the children having been left alone, which irritated our saintly duo immensely!

Gerry retorted that they had neither neglected nor abandoned Madeleine and that going over that old ground was boring! (Duarte Levy and Paulo Reis)

Oh yes, Gerry! Been there, done that, lost a child, but hey, let's not go over that old boring stuff!

In December 2006, an extraordinary meeting of the member states approved an initiative of the European Commission to reserve certain numbers (Starting with 116 ) for a Europe-wide alert system for missing children. This was the system which had been in operation in France since 2006 and had proved to be effective in several cases. (August 2007: abducted 5 year-old French child recovered within hours.)

Back to SkyNews:

"The network, comparable to the amber alert system in the United States, will be compatible with other European countries for the first time."

Well, hallelujah! By January 2009, 10 out of the 17 member states of the EU had adopted the European Alert system, the UK as we know, not having been amongst them, in spite of the fact of having the greatest number of missing children. (SOS Maddie blog)

But sky News tells us that the McCanns have been campaigning for such a system since their daughter disappeared! Well, no they haven't! They took up being poster children for McMillan-Scott's campaign in June 2008, when other member states had been operating an alternative system since 2006!

Since 2006, the French system, known as "Alerte Enlèvement," which is the system now introduced across most of the EU territory and finally in the UK, has recovered many missing children through rapid response to reported cases of abduction. The success of the system, according to Rachida Dati, former French Justice Minister, is due to there being very strict criteria for launching an alert. Four criteria must be met.

"Quatre critères doivent toutefois être réunis pour que le plan soit déclenché : il doit s'agir d'un enlèvement avéré, et non d'une simple disparition, même inquiétante ; la vie ou l'intégrité physique de la victime doit être en danger ; le procureur de la République est en possession éléments d'informations dont la diffusion permettrait de localiser l'enfant ou le suspect ; et la victime doit être mineure." (Duarte Levy)

1) It must be a confirmed abduction and not just a disappearance, however worrying.

2) The victim's life or physical safety must be at risk.

3) The Public Prosecutor must be in possession of sufficient information which, if broadcast, would help to locate the child or the suspect.

4) The victim must be a minor.

So, why is the press wheeling out the McCanns today in relation to this alert system, when they had nothing to do with its inception or its introduction? This is the system that they unsuccessfully tried to replace with McMillan-Scott's version of the American Amber Alert.

And would an alert have helped to find Madeleine in May 2007, given the above criteria?

1) Not met. There was no evidence of an abduction.

2) Maybe. If Maddie was still alive after 10pm on May 3rd, it is highly likely that she would be in physical danger.

3) Not met. The information available would not have helped locate Maddie or the alleged abductor. Small child, last seen in her bed, not there now, man seen carrying a bundle that could have been a child. Description: an egg with hair!

4) Met. One out of four ain't bad? No, it ain't good!

So, there they are today, the "responsible parents," who left three very young children alone in an unlocked apartment in a foreign country, being presented as the instigators of a system they tried to replace with one that wasn't even their own, one they just tried to hitch their wagon to! I guess they will draw more public sympathy than a photo of Rachida Dati, the French Justice Minister who developed the above four criteria which their own child's case didn't meet! Hey ho!

Ten European Union countries Join Forces For International Day For Missing Children.

24/05/2009

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

Tomorrow, 10 out of 27 countries will have activated 116000.

From tomorrow, Monday, with support from France, the number of European countries which have already adopted and put the European line for missing children into service, becomes 10, with 116000 the free, dedicated phone number planned for receiving urgent calls in cases of disappearance. Portugal was the second country after Hungary, to apply a European Union directive that dates from 2002, but which is still not respected by the 17 remaining member countries, amongst them the United Kingdom, the country with the greatest number of disappearances.

Simultaneously, in the ten counties - Portugal, Belgium, Greece, The Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and France, a campaign of publicity and awareness starts tomorrow to raise awareness of the possibilities of the service: through 116000 the parents of a missing child can file a report, the public can more easily offer information and the missing child himself can ask for help.

The new campaign of awareness, which in Portugal is the responsibility of the Instituto de Apoio à Criança (Help For Children Institute) coincides with the International Day For Missing Children and is officially launched tomorrow at the Gulbenkian* in the presence of the Minister for Internal Administration and the Head of the National Representation for the European Union.

Operational 24 hours a day, the number is free and the calls are received by trained professionals, belonging to governmental organisations - in Portugal the service is represented by the Intituto de Apoio à Criança (Help For Children Institute) - which works at a national and international level with police and judicial bodies.

The most recent case of missing children in Europe - including the media case of Madeleine McCann - have led the European Institutions to insist that the 17 remaining members adopt the service as a matter of urgency. Based on the European strategy for the Rights of The Child, the European Commission introduced the 116000 number in February 2007 as the European phone number for missing children, a decision finalised by a directive, indicating to member States the line to follow for the emergency service to be adopted throughout the European Union.

Duarte Levy

(* Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência: The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) was founded and is supported by the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (FCG) to carry on biomedical research and education. The IGC operates as a "host institution", offering excellent facilities and services to foreign and Portuguese research groups or individual scientists, in particular to young post-doctoral fellows who are expected to develop their projects and form their groups in complete autonomy.)

EU Justice Ministers analyse the "Abduction Alert"

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

27/11/08

During the latest Council of Justice and Interior Affairs under the French Presidency, which will take place this Friday in Brussels, the Justice Ministers of the European Union will analyse the conclusions of child abduction alert exercises, carried out during the year, in order to encourage all member States to adopt similar systems to that of France, which could be triggered either side of a frontier.

On the occasion of the informal meeting of ministers responsible for justice and internal affairs, in Cannes in July 2008, the French Presidency had already stressed the need to share systems for "reponse" in cases of child abduction. The results obtained in France, as well as in shared exercises organised between member states, have shown the importance and the value of the system.

In July 2008, the Presidency had presented a film to all the ministers, recounting a cross-border child abduction exercise enacted a month earlier with Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Czech authorities accompanied the exercise as observers.

On the initiative of France, the United Kingdom, which had not wished to participate in the first exercise within the framework of the Abduction Alert, was involved in a second exercise, enacted on November 12th, in order to check the coordination of work by the authorities and services responsible for investigations in cases of abduction of a minor either side of the channel.

According to the French gendarmerie, who organised this simulation, the French-British "Abduction Alert" lasted for nearly seven hours.

Even before the start of the French Presidency, Rachida Dati, the Justice Minister, and Franco Frattini, then Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for the area of "Liberty, Security and Justice," had already shown their wish for the abduction alert to become "a European system."

An alert system for missing children has been a European priority since 2006.

In December 2006, an extraordinary meeting of the member States approved a European Commission's initiative reserving telephone numbers beginning with 116 in all member States "for social services", including the number 116 000, to become "an emergency call number for helping find missing children." In February 2007, the Commission officially adopted the decision "reserving the telephone number 116 000 in all member States as the emergency call number for carrying information about missing children."

In January 2008, after several years of work in this direction, 630 of the 718 deputies present in Strasbourg who had already adopted the European strategy on the subject of children's rights, approved the establishment of a European alert system in cases of abduction, as well as the setting up of a helpline telephone number for children, a measure proposed in 2006, but which certain member States have not yet put into action.

The document approved by the parliament goes further, because the deputies "strongly recommend a European strategy against paedophile tourism and the establishment of a single body for cross-border criminal law, applicable across the Union" which would allow perpetrators of sexual crimes to be pursued across Europe.

Operation abduction alert: the French example.

Since its creation in 2006, the French system, known as Abduction Alert, has allowed the very rapid broadcast to the population throughout the national territory, of clear information relating to abduction in order to elicit witness statements likely to help the prompt freeing of the victim.

In the hours following the notification of a disappearance, the decision to launch the "abduction alert" plan is taken by the Prosecutor of the Republic in close consultation with the investigators and only after consulting the Justice Minister.

Four criteria, however, must be met for the plan to be launched: it must be a proven abduction, and not simply a disappearance, although worrying; the life of the physical safety of the victim must be at risk; the Prosecutor of the Republic is in possession of information, the broadcasting of which would allow the child or the suspect to be located; and the victim must be a minor.

The alert message, indicating a single telephone number, is broadcast for three hours by different carriers: television channels, radio stations, press agencies, continuous message boards on motorways, public address messages in railway and metro stations, internet sites and victims' associations.

Misinformation or manipulation ?

Under the heading "EU discusses a Madeleine alert system," the Press association today announces that one more step will be taken this Friday towards the creation of a European Alert system, because, according to them, the subject was allegedly brought up "after Madeleine McCann's disappearance in Portugal last year and the idea for an alert system was defended by her parents, Kate and Gerry."

Again, according to the Press Association. the European Parliament, thanks to Madeleine's disappearance, now accepts the magnitude of the problem...this in spite of the work carried out for years by the parliament and the Commission and which culminated in the approved initiatives and strategies.

With an estimated population of 61 million, the United Kingdom announced the figure of 140,000 missing children, being an average of 383 a day, but it took Madeleine McCann's disappearance for the British government and the EU to take account of the magnitude of the problem...As a matter of curiosity, during the same period, Belgium, with its 10.5 million inhabitants, unfortunately experienced 8 disappearances a day.

The Press Association states that the French Abduction alert system works well, that of Belgium is identical, but "less well established", while the United Kingdom relies on the effective system of communication between 53 police forces, charities and voluntary groups....Therefore, go find the mistake.

Duarte Levy.

(See links to four other articles on this subject on the SOS Madeleine McCann web site, where there is also a video recounting how the abduction simulation exercise was carried out between several member States earlier this year.)

SOS Madeleine McCann: delays in setting up emergency numbers for missing children across EU countries.

La Commission sonne l’alarme pour les retards dans la mise en service des numéros d’urgence 116 destinée aux enfants

Les parents et les enfants doivent pouvoir appeler à l'aide rapidement et gratuitement tout en voyageant dans l’Union européenne. Rien que dans le Royaume-Uni et en Belgique, plus de 7.500 enfants ont été donnés comme disparus en 2007 (www.missingchildreneurope.eu). La préoccupation du public à propos de la sécurité des enfants a augmenté par des cas comme la disparition de Madeleine McCann au Portugal. En 2007, la Commission a réagi en réservant, au niveau national, des numéros de téléphone à six-chiffres commençant par le 116 pour des lignes d’appel d’urgente destinés aux cas d’enfants disparus (116000) et pour les services d'assistance (116111) avec lesquels les enfants peuvent eux même rechercher de l'aide. Cependant, un récent rapport de l’Union européenne prouve que seulement une minorité d'États membres ont assigné ces nombres aux prestataires de service : sept pour le 116000 et dix pour 116111. La Commission invite aujourd'hui les États membres à accélérer la mise en service de ces numéros.

The Commission sounds the alarm over delays in setting up emergency 116 numbers for children.

Parents and children should be able to call for quick and free help when traveling in the European Union. In the United kingdom and Belgium alone, more than 7,500 children were reported missing in 2007. (www.missingchildreneurope.eu) The interest of the public in child safety has been increased by cases like Madeleine McCann's disappearance in Portugal. In 2007, the Commission reacted by reserving at national level, six-figure telephone numbers starting with 116 for emergency lines planned for cases of missing children (116000) and for the support services (116111) with which children themselves could look for help. However, a recent European Union report proves that only a minority of the member States have assigned these numbers to service providers: seven for the 116000 and ten for 116111. The Commission now invites the member States to speed up the setting up of these numbers.

En vertu des lois de l’Union européenne, les États membres ne doivent pas assigner les numéros, il leur est exigé de les réserver et d’informer le public et les prestataires de leur disponibilité. Le rapport démontre que peu d'efforts ont été faits par des États membres de manière à faire connaître la disponibilité des numéros, retardant leur mise en place.

By virtue of the laws of the European Union, member States don't have to assign the numbers: they are required to reserve them and to inform the public and service providers of their availability. The report shows that little effort has been put in by the member States to make the availability of these numbers known, delaying their setting up.

“Il y a un an, la Commission a réclamé des numéros de téléphone européens 116 pour le faciliter aux parents et aux enfants d’appeler à l'aide,” a dit Viviane Reding, Commissaire européenne pour les Télécommunications. “Jusqu'ici seulement la Hongrie a pris toutes les mesures nécessaires pour mettre en place et en service les numéros 116. J'applaudis cet exemple, mais on doit sonner l’alarme dans les 26 autres États membres. Sous la charte de l'UE des droits fondamentaux, signée par tous les États membres, les droits de l'enfance doivent être protégés. C'est dommage que dans beaucoup d’États membres l'action ne semble pas suivre les mots quand il s’agit de mettre en application les numéros qui peuvent fournir une aide précieuse aux parents et aux enfants. La Commission a fait sa part du travail et espère qu'il ne sera pas nécessaire de commencer des procédures légales sur une question où il devrait y avoir un large consensus.”

"A year ago, the Commission claimed the European telephone numbers 116 to make them available to parents and children to call for help," said Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Telecommunications. "Until now, only Hungary has taken all the necessary steps to set up and put the 116 numbers into service. I applaud that example, but the alarm must be sounded in the 26 other member States.

Under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, signed by all the member States, the rights of the child must be protected. It is a pity that in many member States, action does not seem to follow words when it comes to putting into operation the numbers which could precious help to parents and children. The Commission has done its part of the work and hopes that it won't be necessary to start legal procedures on a question where there must be a large consensus.

Le rapport d'aujourd'hui prouve que plus de progrès est nécessaire pour obtenir la mise en service des numéros 116 000 et 116111 à travers l'Union européenne :

* Les numéros 116000 et 116111 ont été rendus publics — disponibles dans 24 pays (Autriche, Belgique, Bulgarie, la République tchèque, Chypre, Danemark, Allemagne, Estonie, Grèce, Espagne, Finlande, France, Hongrie, Irlande, Lituanie, Luxembourg, Malte, Pays-Bas, Pologne, Portugal, Roumanie, Suède, Slovénie et Slovaquie), mais pas en Italie, en Lettonie ou au Royaume-Uni. Les dates limites pour réserver ces numéros étaient le 30 août 2007 (116000) et le 29 février 2008 (116111).

The report today proves that more progress is necessary to obtain the setting up of the 116000 and the 116111 numbers across the European Union.

*The 116000 and 116111 numbers have been made public - available in 24 countries Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, and Slovakia) but not in Italy, Latvia or the United Kingdom. The deadlines for reserving these numbers was August 30th 2007 (116000) and February 29th 2008 (116111)

* La plupart des pays ont fait peu pour informer les potentiels prestataires de service à propos des numéros 116000 et 116111. Ceci a retardé la reprise de ces numéros par les potentiels prestataires, la plupart du temps organisations non gouvernementales. De plus amples efforts — des communiqués de presse, email/lettres aux potentiels prestataires, réunions — ont été organisés en Finlande, en France (pour le 116000), en Irlande, en Lituanie, aux Pays-Bas, au Portugal et en Suède.

*Most countries have done little to inform potential service providers about the 116000 and 116111 numbers. That has delayed the take-up of these numbers by potential providers, most of the time non-governmental organisations. Further efforts - press releases, email/letters to potential providers, meetings - have been organised in Finland, France (for 116000) Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden.

* Les potentiels prestataires de la permanence téléphonique d’urgence ont révélée leur intérêt pour le 116000 en Belgique, République tchèque, Danemark, Allemagne, Grèce, France, Hongrie, Irlande, Italie, Malte, Lettonie, Pays-Bas, Portugal, Roumanie, Slovaquie et au Royaume-Uni, alors que les potentiels prestataires du service d’assistance 116111 se sont révélées en Bulgarie, République tchèque, Danemark, Allemagne, Estonie, Grèce, Finlande, Hongrie, Irlande, Luxembourg, Pays-Bas, Portugal, Roumanie, Suède, Slovaquie et au Royaume-Uni. Cependant, seulement sept États membres (Belgique, Portugal, Grèce, Danemark, Hongrie, Pays Bas et Slovaquie) ont assigné le numéro 116000 aux prestataires du service tandis que dix autres (la Bulgarie, la République tchèque, le Danemark, l'Allemagne, la Grèce, la Finlande, la Hongrie, le Portugal, la Suède et la Slovaquie) ont assigné le 116111.

*Potential providers of the permanent emergency telephone service have shown their interest for the 116000 number in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom, while potential service providers for the 116111 service have shown up in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark Germany, Estonia, Greece, Finland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom. However, only seven member States (Belgium, Portugal, Greece, Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands and Slovakia) have assigned the 116000 number to service providers while ten others (Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Finland, Hungary, Portugal, Sweden and Slovakia) have assigned the 116111.

Jusqu'ici, uniquement la Hongrie a signalé que les deux numéros (116000 et 116111) sont opérationnels.

Il appartient aux prestataires de rendre opérationnels les numéros d’urgence et d'assistance une fois qu'un État membre leur assigne un numéro. Ces prestataires de service doivent être capables d’assurer dans tout le pays un service irréprochable et gratuitement, 24/7. La Commission suit de près l’évolution et la mise en place des services dans tous les États membres.

Until now, only Hungary has indicated that the two numbers (116000 and 116111) are operational.

It is up to the providers to make the emergency numbers and the service operational once a member State has assigned a number to them. These service providers must be capable of assuring a free and impeccable service, throughout the country 24/7. The Commission is following closely the development and the setting up of the services in all member States.

Au Portugal le 1410 et le 116000

Le Gouvernement portugais, par décision du Ministère de l'Administration Interne, a attribué à l'Institut d'Aide à l'Enfant (IAC) la responsabilité du numéro de téléphone d’appel d’urgence 116000, un système qui permet l'avertissement rapide et gratuit dans les situations de disparition d'enfants.

L'Institut d'Aide à l'Enfant est une institution privée de solidarité sociale, créée en 1983, par un groupe de personnes de différents secteurs professionnels : médecins, magistrats, enseignants, psychologues, juristes, sociologues, techniciens des services sociaux, éducateurs, etc.

In Portugal 1400 and 116000

The Portuguese government, by decision of the Ministry of Internal Administration, has assigned to the Institute for Helping Children (IAC) the responsibility for the emergency telephone number 116000, a system which allows rapid and free warnings in situations of missing children.

The Institute for Helping Children is a private organisation of joint social action, created in 1983, by a group of people from various professional sectors: doctors, magistrates, teachers, psychologists, lawyers, sociologists, social workers, educators, etc.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

11/07/08

SOS Madeleine McCann: European Ministers have rejected, "The Madeleine Alert."

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

La mise en place d'un système d'alerte Amber européen a été rejetée, hier, par les ministres de la Justice de l'Union Européene (UE), au cours d'une réunion informelle, à Cannes, France. “Nous ne devrions pas lancer une alerte européenne quand un enfant a juste disparu pendant quelques heures,” a dit la ministre de la Justice allemande aux médias. “La grande majorité d'enfants retournent à la maison après deux ou trois jours.” Cependant, les ministres de justice de l'UE ont convenu sur la nécessité d'une coopération plus étroite entre les forces de police et les systèmes d'alerte déjà utilisés dans des pays de l'UE.

The setting up of a European Amber alert system was rejected yesterday by the Justice Ministers of the European Union (EU) in the course of an informal meeting in Cannes, France. "We should not launch a European alert when a child has just been missing for a few hours," the German Justice Minister told the media. "The great majority of children return home after two or three days." However, the EU's Justice Ministers agreed on the need for closer co-operation between police forces and the alert systems already being used in some EU countries.

Selon le “MailOnline”, au cours de cette réunion, “Bruxelles rejette l’appel des McCann pour un système d'alerte européen pour les enfants disparues”. L'annonce “a été bien accueillie” par Kate et Gerry, qui ont fait campagne pour un système d'alerte de l'UE à adopter par chacun des 27 pays : “Cette annonce est très encouragent, car il souligne le fait qu'il y a un désir au niveau européen pour que les choses s'améliorent,” a dit Clarence Mitchell, le porte-parole de la famille McCann, au MailOnline.

According to the, "MailOnline," in the course of this meeting, "Brussels rejects the McCanns' appeal for an European alert system for missing children." The announcement, "was well received," by Kate and Gerry, who campaigned for an EU alert system to be adopted by each of the 27 countries: "This announcement is very encouraging, because it stresses the fact that there is a desire at European level for things to improve," Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for the McCann family, told the MailOnline.

La ministre française de la Justice, Rachida Dati, a invité ses homologues à adopter le système utilisé par Paris, car, selon elle, il a fonctionnait à six reprises sur six. “Quand il s’agit de protéger les enfants en Europe, aucune ressource ne devrait être épargnée,” a-t-elle dit. “Nous devons absolument rassembler tout ce que nous avons.”

Au Parlement européen, une “déclaration écrite,” signée par un groupe d’eurodéputés et soutenue par les McCann est parvenue à rassembler, jusqu'à aujourd'hui — le dernier jour — 351 signatures. Pour être prise en compte, la déclaration écrite aurait dû recueillir 393 signatures, soit la majorité des membres du Parlement européen, après quoi elle aurait été transmise au Président, afin d’être citée en procès-verbal et archivée.

The French Justice Minister, Rachida Dati, invited her counterparts to adopt the system used by Paris, because, according to her, it worked six times out of six. "When it comes to protecting Europe's children, no resource should be spared," she said. "We must absolutely gather together everything we have."

In the European Parliament, a, "written declaration," signed by a group of Euro-deputies and supported by the McCanns gathered 351 signatures up to today - the last day. To be considered, the written declaration would have to have collected 393 signatures, being the majority of the members of the European Parliament, after which it would have been forwarded to the President, to be quoted in the minutes and archived.

SOS Madeleine McCann: European exception for a, "McCann Alert."

Exception européenne pour une "Alerte McCann.

Selon Clarence Mitchell, porte-parole et responsable en Relations Publiques et Communication au service des McCann, il y a la possibilité que le temps accordé par le Parlement européen pour la signature de la déclaration écrite, à laquelle Kate et Gerry McCann se sont associés, soit exceptionnellement prolongée.

According to Clarence Mitchell, spokesman and head of Public Relations and communication for the McCanns, there is the possibility that the time agreed by the European Parliament for the signing of the written declaration, with which Kate and Gerry McCann are associated, will, exceptionally, be extended.

"Nous sommes extrêmement encouragés par le nombre de députés européens qui l'ont signé. Le dur labeur continuera jusqu'à ce que nous obtenions les 110 signatures nécessaires, mais il y a la possibilité que le délai soit prolongé selon des règles du Parlement européen et c'est un appui important."

L’article 116 du Règlement du Parlement européen est pourtant clair sur ce point : "Une déclaration écrite inscrite au registre depuis plus de trois mois et n'ayant pas été signée par la moitié au moins des membres qui composent le Parlement devient caduque".

"We are extremely encouraged by the number of European deputie who have signed it. The hard work will continue until we get the necessary 110 signatures, but there is the possibility that the deadline will be extended according to European Parliamentary regulations and that support is valuable."

Article 116 of the Regulations of the European Parliament is quite clear on this point: "A written declaration registered for more than three months, and not having been signed by at least half of the members who make up the Parliament, lapses."

Si à la fin de leur journée au Parlement européen de Strasbourg, Kate et Gerry McCann ne sont parvenus à convaincre que 15 députés de signer le document, aujourd’hui la déclaration écrite d'Edward McMillan-Scott est à 110 signatures de l’approbation.

Selon une source officielle au Parlement européen, "ce ne sont pas les McCann qui se sont associés à un document existant, mais plutôt la déclaration qui aurait été créée avec l’unique objectif d’y associer le nom des McCann."

If at the end of their day in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Kate and Gerry McCann have only managed to convince 15 deputies to sign the document, Edward McMillan-Scott's written declaration is now 110 signatures from approval.
According to an official source of the European Parliament, "it is not the McCanns who are associated with an existing document, but rather the declaration which would have been created with the sole purpose of associating it with the name McCann."

Selon McMillan-Scott, Vice-Président du Parlement européen et auteur de la "déclaration écrite", le Président Hans-Gert Pöttering serait disposé à autoriser la prolongation du délai légal accordé si un total de 300 signatures était atteint à la fin de la session plénière de juillet.

According to McMillan-Scott, Vice-President of the European Parliament and author of the, "written declaration," the President, Hans-Gert Pottering, would be disposed to authorise the extension to the legally agreed deadline if a total of 300 signatures were obtained by the end of July's plenary session.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

19/06/08

Enfants Kidnappes: the McCanns will soon have access to the case files.

Les parents auront bientôt accès aux dossiers

19 juin 2008

Les parents McCann vont avoir accès à leur dossier.

Kate et Gerry McCann auront pleinement accès aux dossiers confidentiels a révélé un haut magistrat. Cet accès permettra au couple de construire une défense et d'identifier la nature de leur statut d'arguidos. Le Procureur Général Jose Fernando Pinto Monteiro a déclaré: "En juillet, l'affaire ne sera plus couverte par le secret de justice et son contenu sera accessible à la consultation par toutes les parties".

The McCanns are going to have access to their case files.

A senior magistrate revealed that Kate and Gerry will have full access to confidential case files. That access will enable the couple to construct a defence and to identify the nature of their arguido status. The Attorney General, Jose Fernando Pinto Monteiro stated: "In July, the case will no longer be covered by the secrecy of justice and its contents will be available for consultation by all parties."

La fin du secret de justice sur le dossier entourant la disparition de Madeleine McCann prendra fin le 14 juillet, soit 10 mois après que le couple fut placé sous statut d'arguidos. Le porte-parole du couple avait déclaré, en son temps, que le retard sur la levée du statut de Kate et Gerry était inhumain. Il a accueilli la déclaration du magistrat portugais avec satisfaction. Clarence Mitchell a déclaré que le couple n'avait pas été informé que le secret de justice serait levé pour le 14 juillet, mais il a ajouté: "Si tel est le cas, c'est clairement une bonne chose". Les avocats du couple ont une nouvelle fois exhorté les autorités à lever le statut d'arguidos des parents dès que possible. Le secret judiciaire est normalement levé au bout de huit mois. Mais le juge d'instruction Pedro Frias a étendu le secret, après accord avec le Procureur, en déclarant la complexité de l'affaire. Les avocats portugais des McCann ont dit qu'ils ne croyaient pas qu'ils auraient accès au dossier avant le mois d'août et qu'ils comptaient essayer de faire abandonner toutes les charges.

The ending of the secrecy of justice on the case surrounding Madeleine McCann's disappearance takes place on July 14th, being 10 months after the couple were placed under arguido status. The McCanns' spokesman stated at the time that the delay in the lifting of Kate and Gerry's arguido status was inhuman. He welcomed the Portuguese magistrate's statement with satisfaction. Clarence Mitchell stated that the couple had not been informed that the secrecy of justice would be lifted on July 14th, but he added: "If such is the case, it is clearly a good thing." The couple's lawyers have again urged the authorities to lift the parents' arguido status as soon as possible. Judicial secrecy is usually lifted after eight months. But the magistrate, Pedro Frias, extended the secrecy, by agreement with the prosecutor, stating the complexity of the case. The McCanns' Portuguese lawyers have said that they do not believe they will have access to the file before August and that they would try to get all the charges dropped.

Le délai accordé pour signer le document écrit au Parlement Européen pourrait-être prolongé.

Selon le porte-parole des parents McCann, la possibilité que le Parlement Européen accorde un délai supplémentaire exceptionnel en vue de la signature du document d'alerte européen pour enfants disparus, est plus que probable. "Nous sommes encouragés par le nombre d'eurodéputés l'ayant déjà signé. Notre travail continuera jusqu'à ce que nous obtenions les 110 signatures qui nous manquent. Il y a la possibilité que le délai accordé pour signé le document soir prolongé selon les règles du Parlement et c'est un appui précieux" a déclaré le porte-parole de Kate et Gerry. Si à ce stade il manque encore 110 signatures, c'est parce que les parent n'auraient réussi qu'à récolté 15 signatures d'eurodéputés. Enfin, SOS Maddie révèle que selon une source officielle "ce ne sont pas les McCann qui se sont associés au document existant, mais c'est plutôt la déclaration écrite qui aurait été créée avec l'unique objectif d'y associer le nom des McCann".

The deadline for signing the written document for the European Parliament could be extended.

According to the McCanns' spokesman, the possibility that the European Parliament agrees an exceptional, extended deadline with regard to the signing of the European alert document for missing children, is more thab probable. "We are encouraged by the number of Euro-deputies who have already signed. Our work continues until we have the 110 signatures which we need. There is the possibility that the deadline agreed for signing the document will be extended according to Parliamentary rules and that support is valuable." stated Kate and Gerry's spokesman. If at this stage it still needs 110 signatures, it is because the parents have only managed to collect 15 signatures from Euro-deputies. Finally, SOS Maddie reveals that according to an official source, "it is not that the McCanns are associated with an existing document, but it is rather that the written declaration was created with the sole purpose of associating it with the name McCann."

http://www.kidnapping.be/maddie/maddie.html

19/06/08

SOS Madeleine McCann: journalists and deputies provoke the McCanns' anger

Updated from 17/06/08

Journalistes et députés ont provoqué la colère des McCann

En déplacement au Parlement européen à Strasbourg, Kate et Gerry McCann quand confrontés aux questions des journalistes à propos de la forme comme le couple à laissé, à plusieurs reprises, les enfants seules et sans surveillance la nuit de la disparition de Madeleine, ont perdu leur calme en soutenant que la "vraie question" est l’enlèvement.

On a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Kate and Gerry McCann lost their cool when confronted by questions from journalists about how the couple had left the children alone and unsupervised, as on several occasions, on the night of Madeleine's disappearance, arguing that the, "real question," is the abduction.

Venues demander aux députés européens de signer "une déclaration écrite" proposant la création d'un système d'alerte pour l’Union européenne semblable à l'alerte américaine Amber — pourtant déjà dans les projets en cours de l’Union européenne depuis 2006 – les parents de Madeleine ont très mal réagi aux questions d’une partie des journalistes.

There to ask European deputies to sign, "a written declaration," proposing the creation of an alert system for the European Union, similar to the American Amber alert - already in the ongoing projects of the European Union since 2006 - Madeleine's parents reacted very badly to questions from some journalists.

Le couple s’est dit fatigué des questions des journalistes à propos de la nuit de la disparition de leur fille, en particulier celles qui font allusion au fait que les enfants étaient seules.

"Nous n’avons pas abandonné et nous n’avons pas négligé Madeleine," a dit Gerry McCann protestant que "revenir sur ce sujet est réellement très ennuyeux".

The couple said they were tired of journalists' questions about the night of their daughter's disappearance, in particular those which alluded to the fact that the children were alone.

"We didn't abandon and we didn't neglect Madeleine," Gerry McCann said, protesting that, "going back over that subject is really very boring."

"Nous devons nous concentrer sur la vraie question. Cela ne nous aide pas de continuer à soulever ce sujet. Rien n'a changé ces 14 derniers mois et je ne comprends pas pourquoi nous parlons à nouveau de cela", a dit Kate McCann.

"We should concentrate on the real question. That does not help us to resolve this subject. Nothing has changed in the last 14 months and I don't understand why we are talking about that again," said Kate McCann.

Les McCann ignorés par les parlementaires

Comme à Bruxelles, plusieurs sont les députés européens qui ont préféré passer à côté de la visite de Kate et Gerry McCann, protestant contre le fait que les cinq auteurs de la déclaration ont pu associer le couple à ce document en raison de leur statut d’arguidos dans l’enquête à la disparition de leur fille.

La visite des McCann et la présentation d’une déclaration écrite demandant la mise en place d’un système d’alerte européen, hors que la Commission y travaille depuis 2006, sont vues par une grande partie des membres du Parlement comme une tentative de manipulation médiatique.

As in Brussels, several European deputies preferred to miss Kate and Gerry McCann's visit, protesting against the fact that the five authors of the declaration could associate the couple with this document because of their arguidos status in the investigation into their daughter's disappearance.

The McCanns' visit and the presentation of a written declaration requesting the setting up of a European alert system, apart from the fact that the Commission has been working on it since 2006, was seen by a large number of members of the Parliament as an attempt at media manipulation.

Les déclarations du français Jacques Barrot, actuel Vice-président de la Commission européenne et futur Commissaire en charge de la "Justice, Liberté et Sécurité", indiquant que "parmi ses priorités" figurait la mise en place du système européen d'alerte rapide en cas d'enlèvement d'enfants, donnant suite à la stratégie adoptée par le parlement en matière de protection des enfants, ont été entendus comme une réponse voilée aux critiques faites par les McCann.

Gerry McCann a d’ailleurs très mal accueilli le manque de réponse des parlementaires à leur déclaration : le but officiel de leur visite à Strasbourg était d’obtenir la signature de 182 députés, mais, après tout une journée, ils ne sont parvenus qu’à obtenir 15, ce que laisse présager que le document, que finalement n’a aucun poids juridique ou politique, ne sera pas publié.

The statements by the French Jacques Barrot, current Vice-President of the European Commission and future commissioner for, "Justice, Liberty and Security," indicating that, "amongst his priorities," is the setting up of the European rapid alert system in cases of child abduction, following the strategy adopted by the parliament on the issue of child protection, were heard as a veiled response to criticisms made by the McCanns.

Meanwhile, the lack of response from parliamentarians to their declaration was very badly received by Gerry McCann: the official object of their visit to Strasbourg was to obtain the signatures of 1882 deputies, but, after a whole day, they had only managed to obtain 15, which leaves us to predict that the document, which in the end has no legal or political weight, will not be published.

Proposé aux députés au mois d’avril la "déclaration écrite" arrive à échéance le 24 juillet, date a laquelle elle doit avoir obtenu plus de 393 signatures. Hier, avec les 15 signatures récoltes à Strasbourg elle ne totalise que 226.

Presented to the deputies in April, the, "written declaration," expires on July 24th, the date by which it must have obtained 393 signatures. Yesterday, with the 15 signatures collected in Strasbourg, the total was only 226.

http://sosmaddie.dhblogs.be/

17/06/08

Alert system for missing children has been a European priority since 2006

Shouldn't somebody have told the McCanns?

Système d’alerte pour enfants disparus est priorité européenne depuis 2006

(Mise à jour) Selon Gerry McCann, "sa frustration grandit" avec le refus de beaucoup de membres du Parlement européen de signer "une déclaration écrite" proposant la création d'un système d'alerte pour l’Union européenne semblable à l'alerte Amber, qui existe aux États-Unis. Le père de Madeleine McCann a accusé ces parlementaires européens de "manque de compréhension envers ce que nous espérons accomplir."

(Updated) According to Gerry McCann, "his frustration grows," with the refusal of lots of members of the European Parliament to sign, "a written declaration," proposing the creation of an alert system for the European Union similar to the Amber Alert, which exists in the United States. Madeleine McCann's father accused these European parliamentarians of, "a lack of understanding about what we are hoping to accomplish."

Les McCann viennent de faire campagne pour un système d'alerte européen, destiné à traiter des cas d’enfants disparues. Mais depuis 2006, la Commission européenne a approuvé un projet pour établir un numéro de téléphone gratuit, commun à toute l’Union européenne (116 000) et un système d'alerte coordonné, entre les 27 États membres.

The McCanns came to campaign for a European alert system, designed to deal with cases of missing children. But in 2006, the European Commission approved a project to establish a free telephone number, common to the whole European Union (116 000) and an alert system coordinated between the 27 member States.

En décembre 2006, une réunion extraordinaire des États membres a approuvé l'initiative de la Commission européenne réservant dans tous les États membres des numéros de téléphone commençant par 116 "pour des services sociaux", y compris le numéro 116 000, pour devenir "un numéro d’appel d’urgence pour aider à la recherche des enfants disparus." En février 2007, la Commission a officiellement adopté la décision "réservant le numéro de téléphone 116 000 à tous les États membres comme numéro d’appel pour apporter des informations à propos d’enfants disparus."

In December 2006, an extraordinary meeting of the member States approved the initiative of the European Commission, reserving the telephone numbers beginning with 116 in all the member States, "for social services," including the number 116 000, to become, "a number for emergency calls to help in the search for missing children." In February 2007, the Commission officially adopted, "reserving the telephone number 116 000 in all member States as a call number to carry information about missing children."

Selon la BBC, Viviane Reding, alors Commissaire européenne pour les Télécommunications, s’était dit "enchantée qu'aujourd'hui la plus importante mesure vers un numéro d’appel unique, commun à toute l’Union européenne, pour les enlèvements d’enfants ait été prise."

Jusqu'ici, quatre pays européens ont établi le numéro d’appel 116 000 comme numéro d’urgence pour aider à la recherche des enfants disparus — Belgique, Grèce, Portugal et Danemark – en France le numéro rentre en service cet été et d’autres suivront.

According to the BBC, Viviane Reding, then European Commissioner for Telecommunications, had said she was, "delighted that today the most important step has been taken towards a unique call number for abducted children, common to the whole European Union."

So far, four European countries have set up the call number 116 000 as the emergency number to help in the search for missing children - Belgium, Greece, Portugal and Denmark - in France the number comes into service this summer and others will follow.

(Shouldn't someone tell Gerry McCann that while he has been getting a bit worked up about those deputies not signing, that the project has been underway since 2006, and doing quite well without his help?)

La Fédération européenne pour enfants disparus et sexuellement exploités (Missing Children Europe) a été invitée par la Commission européenne pour l’aider dans ce projet et, suivant une réunion le 17 août 2007, Missing Children Europe a rassemblé un groupe central interdisciplinaire d’ONG et d'organismes judiciaires, qui se sont réunis le 31 août 2007 et ont rédigé quelques recommandations initiales, qui servaient de base aux directives d'une Commission à propos des enfants disparus, discutées lors de la réunion informelle des ministres de la Justice et des Affaires intérieures à Lisbonne le 2 octobre 2007.

The European Federation for missing and sexually exploited children (Missing Children Europe) was invited by the Commission to assist with the project and, following a meeting on August 17th 2007, Missing Children Europe brought together an interdisciplinary group of NGOs and statutory organisations, who met on August 31st 2007 and prepared some preliminary recommendations, which serve as the basic guidelines for a commission on missing children, discussed during an informal meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Lisbon on October 2nd 2007.

Le numéro d’appel européen et le système d’alerte pour enfants disparus sont des priorités dans l’agenda de la présidence française de l’Union européenne, à démarrer en juillet 2008, et de nouvelles et importantes étapes sont prévues, pour 2009, comme "Missing Children Europe" indique à ce sujet dans un rapport à propos de sa coopération avec le projet de l’Union européenne.

The European call number and the alert system for missing children are priorities on the agenda for the French presidency of the European Union, which starts in July 2008, and new and important steps are planned, for 2009, as, "Missing Children Europe," indicates on the subject in a report about its cooperation with the European Union's project.

Hier, le Vice-président de la Commission européenne, le français Jacques Barrot, appelé à devenir le nouveau titulaire du portefeuille "Justice, Liberté et Sécurité", remplaçant Franco Frattini, a indiqué que "parmi ses priorités" figure la mise en place du système européen d'alerte rapide en cas d'enlèvement d'enfants, le renforcement de la protection des mineurs en cas de divorce et une nouvelle proposition pour lutter contre l'exploitation sexuelle des enfants.

Yesterday, the Vice-President of the European Commission, the Frenchman Jacques Barrot, named as the new post-holder for, "Justice, LIberty and Security," replacing Franco Frattini, indicated that, "amongst his priorities," is the setting up of the European rapid alert system in cases of missing children, strengthening the protection of minors in divorce cases and a new proposal for the fight against sexual exploitation of children.

Jacques Barrot a d'ailleurs souligné que sur la question de la protection des enfants il donnait suite à la stratégie adoptée par le Parlement en janvier.

Dans son blogue, le 13 juin, Gerry McCann a fortement critiqué le projet de l’Union européenne, réclamant que le numéro d’appel 116 000 "jusqu’ici, soit uniquement opérationnel dans un des 27 pays européens (Grèce)." En outre, il considère que le système d’alerte que l’Union européenne met en action, depuis 2006, ne signifie pas qu’"une alerte Amber sera émise pour un enfant enlevé, car un tel système n'existe pas." Les McCann, qui sont aujourd’hui à Strasbourg, ont toujours besoin de la signature de 182 parlementaires européens pour "la déclaration écrite", mais le document n’a aucun poids légal dans l’Union européenne.

Jacques Barrot also stressed that on the issue of child protection, he follows the strategy adopted by the Parliament in January.

In his blog, on June 13th, Gerry McCann strongly criticised the European Union's project, claiming that the number 116 000, "was so far only operational in one of the 27 European countries (Greece)." In addition, he considers that the alert system which the European Union has had in place since 2006, did not mean that, "an Amber alert would be issued for an abducted child, because such a system does not exist." The McCanns, who are in Strasbourg today, still need the signatures of 182 European parliamentarians for, "the written declaration," but the document has no legal weight in the European Union.

(Now that's odd, Gerry! Recently there was a simulated alert carried out by the four EU countries, which are said to have already set up the 116 000 call facility. Who didn't do his homework?)