Speeches

Remarks by Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Stephen Schwartz, at the
Reception in Honor of American Family Court Officers Visit to Mauritius

Ambassador's Residence
December 19, 2005

Mr. Jayarama Valayden, Attorney General, Minister of Justice and Human Rights
Mrs. Shirrin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra, Ombudsperson for Children
Ms. Pramila Patten, United Nations CEDAW Expert

Ms. Chandlee Johnson Juhn, Chief Judge
Mr. Randall Williams, Court Administrator
Ms. Andrea Shaffer, Director of Special Services. 

We are here to salute the good work being done by many people to establish a family court in Mauritius.  This is a truly marvelous development.

I’ve been surprised and impressed at the speed with which this has progressed.  Credit goes to the three people up here with me and to their institutions.

Before going on an unrelated trip to the U.S. earlier this year, Ms. Patten requested a study tour to look at the U.S. family court system, which the Department of State was happy to organize.

Her tour brought her to the U.S. state of Delaware where she met Chief Judge Kuhn, Mr. Williams, and Ms. Shaffer.  They not only helped but agreed to visit Mauritius.

Finally, a new government was elected in July advocating the establishment of a family court and has embraced this effort enthusiastically.

The U.S. Embassy role has been modest but, we hope, important.  We were pleased to sponsor Ms Patten’s study tour, fund the publication of her excellent report, and to share the costs with the government for this trip by our three distinguished visitors from Delaware.   We expect to continue supporting this project so long as such assistance is desired and needed.

Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate the government on its recent amendment adding and strengthening provisions in the Child Protection Act.  This was an important development in the effort to promote and protect the welfare of Mauritian children, a goal I know we all share.

Thank you for coming.