The Society for the Care of Saudi Families Abroad has assigned lawyers to take up cases against Saudi fathers who refuse to recognize offsprings they have fathered abroad, a situation which leaves around 2,000 children unable to obtain official Saudi identification documents. The society is working with the Ministry of Interior to penalize fathers who have not come forward or have refused to recognize their children, and a list of their names will be given to province governorates to help complete procedures for giving their children official identification documents. The society will visit the governorates of Makkah, Madina, and Eastern Province within the next few weeks. Abdullah Al-Hamoud, president of the society, said that 700 Saudi families with some 2,000 children in 10 different countries need cooperation of the fathers to officially establish identities and obtain nationality. Seventy percent of fathers are not in contact with their wives or offsprings, five individuals refuse to recognize their children while some are known to have died. The society also plans to provide 300 employment opportunities in the Kingdom to children of Saudi families abroad, while Saudi and GCC investors are working together and expect agreements to be signed soon. Al-Hamoud added that daughters of a marriageable age received help from the society and Saudi authorities to find appropriate suitors. – Okaz/SG __
