By signing this petition, you will help gain the attention of the authorities and get Valentin Stcherbatcheff-Stankowski back living a peaceful life with his mother as soon as possible.
If you are against:
- Separating young children from their mothers
- The abduction, abuse and neglect of children
- Violations of fundamental human rights and the rights of the child
Then please SIGN this petition today!
Background: On 20 July 2020, my 5-year old son Valentin, who has lived with me for his entire life, was abducted by his father in Zurich. This sent off an intensive search for Valentin involving the police and other authorities like the British embassy. This incident was triggered because I applied to relocate with Valentin from Zurich to Geneva.
Then the father made absurd claims that Geneva is “dangerous" and pretended like I'm a "flight risk" only because I am British. Then the court made an unbelievable, scandalous decision on 27 August which condoned the abduction by the father and took all of my custody rights away, both physical and legal, for no reason whatsoever.
The situation today can only be described as horrific. I was supposed to see Valentin for court-ordered visitation weekends on 4-6 September, 18-20 September, 2-4 October and 30 October – 1 November, 13-15 November and 27-29 November, 11-13 December and went to Zurich to collect him each time, but the father never showed up with Valentin. Also, multiple court-ordered phone calls between my son and I since the injunction were deliberately sabotaged.
I report these violations and none of the authorities are sanctioning these violations. The court does nothing. The court refuses to enforce their own orders.
The sweetest moments of his childhood are being destroyed. Valentin missed his 6th birthday party on 19 September at the Natural History Museum because his father wouldn't hand him over. Valentin also missed the Halloween event I planned for him and his classmates because his father wouldn’t hand him over which was again heartbreaking.
The court says that I cannot even see Valentin unless I hand over both of our British passports to the father, but at the same time the court is allowing the father to travel freely outside CH with my son. This discrepancy in treatment is racist and discriminatory against the foreign parent, and also goes against Federal Office of Justice protocol.
The court is violating our fundamental human rights to family life (Article 8), the right to a fair trial (Article 6) and prohibition of discrimination (Article 14). Also the court refused to allow Valentin to be heard as a witness over the summer despite our requests. He told his teachers and his entire kindergarten class in July 2020 that he was happy and excited to move to Geneva.
We appealed the decision to the Obergereicht in early September and now waiting for a hearing.
I have only seen Valentin for two days over the past 6 months. This situation is horrific and intolerable for both of us. He needs me. I’ve always been his primary caretaker.
Valentin is increasingly traumatised, alienated and rapidly lose his English. We need positive action taken by the Obergericht immediately in order to get our lives back to normal. In order to ensure Valentin's continuity of care-taking, continuity of education and his physical and mental health, he needs to be allowed to reunite with his mother as soon as possible.
We are grateful for your support. Thank you very much for your signature!
Updates
November 5, 2020
We just crossed two hundred and fifty signatures. It is exhausting to keep fighting this battle while Valentin remains away from me but knowing others are watching gives me the strength to keep going.
Reached 250 supporters
November 3, 2020
November 2, 2020
Reaching this level of visibility feels heavy because it reminds me of how long Valentin has been kept away from me. I am exhausted by the silence from the authorities but seeing this support gives me enough strength to keep fighting for him.
Reached 100 supporters
November 2, 2020
November 1, 2020
The days keep passing without my son and the silence from the authorities is heavy. If you have signed this but have not sent the link to anyone else please find the strength to do it now. We have to keep pushing until someone finally listens.
113 Comments
Courts continue to subject women to discrimination and violate their rights as mothers. This case is a horrific illustration of what’s wrong with our justice system. Please review this case and reunite Valentin with his mother, before irreversible damage is done to his emotional and mental health.
Barbara is the most kind, loving, devoted and wonderful mother I have ever known. She is outstanding, actually. To keep Valentin away from his mother is a tragedy for both of them. Bring Valentin back to his loving mother Barbara now!
This is horrific. YOU WILL NEED A BIG FAMOUS WELL CONNECTED LAW FIRM…Unfortunately the judicial system here is so backward it is alarming. Specially towards outsiders. I know. I have experienced it. All the best.
The psycological and economical damage being inflicted on Valentin and his Mother Barbara are beyond comprehensive, deplorable, and downright unacceptable. Their fundamental rights must be restored to reunite mother and son immediately!
I am living the same thing. And they say Switzerland is a 1st World Country where women are treated decent. It’s bocus!!! I wish you and Valentin all the best. God Bless Yvonne
I hope you get to be with him soon!
Reunite this boy with his mother. The legal separation of the child from his loving mother only raises serious concerns to the transparency of this ongoing situation.
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By signing this petition, you will help gain the attention of the authorities and get Valentin Stcherbatcheff-Stankowski back living a peaceful life with his mother as soon as possible.
If you are against:
- Separating young children from their mothers
- The abduction, abuse and neglect of children
- Violations of fundamental human rights and the rights of the child
Then please SIGN this petition today!
Background: On 20 July 2020, my 5-year old son Valentin, who has lived with me for his entire life, was abducted by his father in Zurich. This sent off an intensive search for Valentin involving the police and other authorities like the British embassy. This incident was triggered because I applied to relocate with Valentin from Zurich to Geneva.
Then the father made absurd claims that Geneva is “dangerous" and pretended like I'm a "flight risk" only because I am British. Then the court made an unbelievable, scandalous decision on 27 August which condoned the abduction by the father and took all of my custody rights away, both physical and legal, for no reason whatsoever.
The situation today can only be described as horrific. I was supposed to see Valentin for court-ordered visitation weekends on 4-6 September, 18-20 September, 2-4 October and 30 October – 1 November, 13-15 November and 27-29 November, 11-13 December and went to Zurich to collect him each time, but the father never showed up with Valentin. Also, multiple court-ordered phone calls between my son and I since the injunction were deliberately sabotaged.
I report these violations and none of the authorities are sanctioning these violations. The court does nothing. The court refuses to enforce their own orders.
The sweetest moments of his childhood are being destroyed. Valentin missed his 6th birthday party on 19 September at the Natural History Museum because his father wouldn't hand him over. Valentin also missed the Halloween event I planned for him and his classmates because his father wouldn’t hand him over which was again heartbreaking.
The court says that I cannot even see Valentin unless I hand over both of our British passports to the father, but at the same time the court is allowing the father to travel freely outside CH with my son. This discrepancy in treatment is racist and discriminatory against the foreign parent, and also goes against Federal Office of Justice protocol.
The court is violating our fundamental human rights to family life (Article 8), the right to a fair trial (Article 6) and prohibition of discrimination (Article 14). Also the court refused to allow Valentin to be heard as a witness over the summer despite our requests. He told his teachers and his entire kindergarten class in July 2020 that he was happy and excited to move to Geneva.
We appealed the decision to the Obergereicht in early September and now waiting for a hearing.
I have only seen Valentin for two days over the past 6 months. This situation is horrific and intolerable for both of us. He needs me. I’ve always been his primary caretaker.
Valentin is increasingly traumatised, alienated and rapidly lose his English. We need positive action taken by the Obergericht immediately in order to get our lives back to normal. In order to ensure Valentin's continuity of care-taking, continuity of education and his physical and mental health, he needs to be allowed to reunite with his mother as soon as possible.
We are grateful for your support. Thank you very much for your signature!
Updates
November 5, 2020
We just crossed two hundred and fifty signatures. It is exhausting to keep fighting this battle while Valentin remains away from me but knowing others are watching gives me the strength to keep going.
Reached 250 supporters
November 3, 2020
November 2, 2020
Reaching this level of visibility feels heavy because it reminds me of how long Valentin has been kept away from me. I am exhausted by the silence from the authorities but seeing this support gives me enough strength to keep fighting for him.
Reached 100 supporters
November 2, 2020
November 1, 2020
The days keep passing without my son and the silence from the authorities is heavy. If you have signed this but have not sent the link to anyone else please find the strength to do it now. We have to keep pushing until someone finally listens.
113 Comments
Barbara the mother of Valentin has been since the beginning his primary caretaker . Where was the Father during these years, ? Valentin & his Mother should be reunited . Sylvie
Courts continue to subject women to discrimination and violate their rights as mothers. This case is a horrific illustration of what’s wrong with our justice system. Please review this case and reunite Valentin with his mother, before irreversible damage is done to his emotional and mental health.
Barbara is the most kind, loving, devoted and wonderful mother I have ever known. She is outstanding, actually. To keep Valentin away from his mother is a tragedy for both of them. Bring Valentin back to his loving mother Barbara now!
This is horrific. YOU WILL NEED A BIG FAMOUS WELL CONNECTED LAW FIRM…Unfortunately the judicial system here is so backward it is alarming. Specially towards outsiders. I know. I have experienced it. All the best.
The psycological and economical damage being inflicted on Valentin and his Mother Barbara are beyond comprehensive, deplorable, and downright unacceptable. Their fundamental rights must be restored to reunite mother and son immediately!
I am living the same thing. And they say Switzerland is a 1st World Country where women are treated decent. It’s bocus!!! I wish you and Valentin all the best. God Bless Yvonne
I hope you get to be with him soon!
Reunite this boy with his mother. The legal separation of the child from his loving mother only raises serious concerns to the transparency of this ongoing situation.
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Barbara the mother of Valentin has been since the beginning his primary caretaker . Where was the Father during these years, ? Valentin & his Mother should be reunited . Sylvie