Fathers’ Collective Appeals to Human Rights Commission Over Access to Their Children

A collective of fathers who claim they have been denied opportunities to see and spend time with their children staged a protest in front of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka today before submitting a complaint to the Commission.

Under court orders issued in divorce and other family-related cases, fathers may be required to pay maintenance for their children and, in some cases, their former wives. At the same time, court orders may provide fathers with opportunities to see their children and spend limited periods of time with them.

The fathers who participated in today’s protest said that although they pay the court-ordered maintenance payments on time, they face difficulties in exercising their rights to see their children.

Several fathers spoke to the media, claiming that they are being separated from their children for various reasons despite complying with their maintenance obligations.

According to the fathers, some mothers allegedly prevent them from maintaining a close relationship with their children because they fear that a stronger bond between the fathers and children could affect the payment of maintenance. They further alleged that, on some occasions, various accusations are made against them when they attempt to visit their children, resulting in the children being kept away from them.

One of the fathers said that a large number of people are part of their fathers’ collective, although some are reluctant to appear publicly because they do not want to reveal their identities.

He said around 20 fathers had joined the protest that day and that a complaint had been submitted to the Human Rights Commission.

The fathers claimed that they had also faced complaints being made against them to the police while they continued to pay their maintenance payments on time.

They said their main concern was that although they fulfil their financial responsibilities towards their children, they are being deprived of the opportunity to experience a close relationship with them.

The fathers further claimed that their children were being kept away from them when they attempted to visit, and alleged that some mothers were concerned that the children might develop a closer bond with their fathers.