Earlier this year, both secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama became involved in the case, convincing Brazilian authorities to move the case to the federal courts. The federal court ruled that Goldman should be awarded custody of his child, but Sean’s Brazilian family has appealed the decision. Now it is up to Brazil’s Supreme Court. The case will hinge on whether the court finds that the Hague Treaty, which upholds Goldman’s parental rights, is legally enforceable under Brazil’s constitution. Brazil and the US are both signatories to the Hague Treaty. A US lawmaker has planned to introduce a bill that would impose trade sanctions against Brazil until they honor the treaty’s provisions for international child abductions. Find out more about this five year long international custody battle at Brazil custody battle hangs in balance.
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