Brazil and the United States have an international agreement about how to handle wrongful retention and wrongful abduction of children from their original countries of residence: The Hague Convention of 1980.  Both countries are obliged to make sure that this treaty is enforced. 

The U.S. Embassy notes that a case centering on this question is currently before the 16^th Federal Court in Rio and we are respectfully awaiting the decision of that court.  Brazil has an independent and professional judiciary.  This is not a question that should be decided in the press or the court of public opinion. 

The wrongful removal and wrongful retention of children from their homes, and the forced separation of parent and child is unnecessary and cruel.  The United States has facilitated the return of seven children to Brazil since The Hague treaty entered into force between our two countries.  We call on the office of the Secretary of Human Rights to support the return of all children wrongfully removed and wrongfully retained.