Custody of 2 Daughters: Japanese-Bangladeshi parents trying to reach out-of-court settlement
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Considering the future and welfare of their two daughters, Japanese mother Nakano Eriko and Bangladeshi father Imran Sharif are trying to come to an agreement before the court hearing on August 31.
They made the remarks yesterday while talking to reporters in front of the Victim Support Centre of Dhaka Metropolitan Police in Tejgaon, where the children are staying.
Responding to a question, Eriko, 46, who moved to Bangladesh recently to fight a legal battle over the children's custody, said she wants to negotiate for the welfare of her daughters -- Nakano Jasmine Malika, 11, and Nakano Laila Lina, 10.
"I saw the children smiling. I bathed them with my own hands. The people who are looking after them here are very sincere…Although it's [Victim Support Centre] and not a five-star hotel, the environment is clean, safe and secure."
She said she is grateful to the people who are looking after her children.
Eriko's lawyer, Shishir Monir, said they are hopeful about reaching an agreement soon before the court hearing.
"Since it is a family matter, there are social and cultural issues in addition to the legal process. For this, we are trying to end the matter through negotiation outside the process. We hope to reach a decision soon."
Asked what kind of agreement could be made, he said, "The divorce between them has not been implemented yet. There are still chances for various types of negotiations.
"As the next hearing date is on the 31st of this month, we are trying to reach an agreement before that, while maintaining respect for each other. Both the parents and their lawyers have initially agreed on the matter."
About the problem between the couple centring a flat, he said, "There may have been an issue but that was not the only reason [for the husband to send a divorce notice]."
A lawsuit has been filed with a Japanese court over the divorce, he added.
Her husband, however, moved to Bangladesh without following a Japanese court order.
Imran Sharif, 58, the children's father, said that he is ready to negotiate for the betterment and future of the children.
"The subsequent issues involve the outcome of the agreement. I will try my best to keep my children happy."
He said the girls were depressed at the Victim Support Centre, although the people who are looking after them are very sincere.
"The children cannot eat properly there. They are surrounded by unknown people. If we can move them to a hotel, both of us can stay in separate rooms and look after them, which will give them peace of mind."
He said the information provided about the flats in Japan was incorrect.
"I was kicked out of home with a two-day legal notice. I was forced to move to Bangladesh."
On July 18, Eriko, a doctor based in Tokyo, came to Bangladesh and filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking a directive on Imran to hand over the two children to her custody.
On August 19, the HC bench directed Imran to produce his daughters before it on August 31. But before that, the Criminal Investigation Department of Police took the children into their custody on August 22.
On August 23, the HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman said the girls will remain at the centre till the August 31 hearing.
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