Jacqueline Pascarl

Last updated

Jacqueline Pascarl (born 5 July 1963), formerly known as Jacqueline Gillespie and Jacqueline Pascarl-Gillespie, is an Australian author, TV personality and parents' rights advocate and humanitarian aid worker. Pascarl came to public attention in 1992, when her children were covertly removed from Australia, illegally under Australian law, by their Malaysian father. One man was convicted, sentenced and then jailed as an accomplice. The Parliament of Australia characterised this removal as an "abduction." [1]

Contents

Biography

She was a young ballet dancer in 1980 when she met a Malaysian prince Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad who was in Melbourne studying architecture. They married in 1981, when she was 17, and moved to Terengganu the following year, where Raja Bahrin was a junior member of the that sultanate. They had a daughter, Shahirah (Shah), and a son, Mohammed Baharuddin (Iddin). Raja Bahrin later took a second wife under Islamic marital law. By this time, Jacqueline claims the marriage had turned violent.[ citation needed ] She returned to Australia in 1985 with their children to visit her sick grandmother, and never returned.

The couple divorced in 1986. Bahrin signed over custody of their two children, an arrangement which was later ratified by the Family Court of Australia. In 1990, she married TV journalist Iain Gillespie. They legally separated in the mid 1990s and formally divorced in 2000. Pascarl married Bill Crocaris in 2002 who was erroneously reported as a school friend, however he was much younger than Pascarl. [2] [3] She and Crocaris have two children. They divorced in 2012. Pascarl is very happily married to a dental surgeon and lives quietly with their children in Melbourne where she continues to run humanitarian agency, Operation Angel being active during the 2020 bushfire emergency and other war and natural disasters and remains very active in her community. [4] [5] == Career ==

A feature reporter for the Ten Network at the time of the abduction, Pascarl went on to research and produce several television documentary films, including the award-winning Empty Arms, Broken Hearts, covering the topic of international parental abduction of children. She was the host of the television lifestyle show House Hunt, but she was drawn into the area of child literacy, leaving her television and radio career behind. She became an international lobbyist on the rights of the child, and an expert on parental child abduction and the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

Pascarl established Operation Book Power in 1995, a child literacy project in Kenya and South Africa. In 1998, she was appointed Special Ambassador for the international development and aid agency, CARE International and worked as an emergency aid worker in the conflict zones of Bosnia, Kosovo and East Timor. She was based in Europe, leaving Australia after citing privacy issues. She has garnered several humanitarian awards including commendations for child protection from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (USA) and the United Nations. She founded Operation Angel, founded with the aim of restoring dignity to women and children in war torn countries but now involved in disaster relief on a broader basis, recently the destructive Black Saturday bushfires. [6] The group has recently organised to assist Queenslanders in January 2011 in flood relief. [7]

She has written two memoirs, Once I was a Princess and Since I Was a Princess (2007). She lectures internationally and advises the European Union and the US State Department and represents Australia at world forums on child abduction issues. She is a consultant to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and has recently been appointed as a Patron of CARE International in the United Kingdom.

In 2009, Pascarl became a regular columnist for the Sunday Times Magazine in the UK and writes for ThePunch.com.au. She also produces documentary and television films through Creswick Creative. 2011 saw her appointment as ambassador to the 14th Dalai Lama in Australia, and her being awarded the Queensland Disaster Hero Medal 2011 for her work through Operation Angel during the 2010–11 Queensland floods for which she raised and distributed over $5 million worth of material aid to Queenslanders in need. That same year she was awarded the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal. [8] Appointed by the Australia Government, Pascarl served for several years as National Vice Chair of the Australian Defence Force Reserves, Defence Reserves Support Council, being the first woman to serve on the National Executive. She oversaw Army, Navy and Air Force. As well as sitting on several boards from ANVAM to the Governing Board of International Social Services in Geneva, Switzerland. [9] Jacqueline Pascarl was issued with Letters Patent by the Governor General of Australia when she received the Order of Australia on behalf of HM Queen Elizabeth in 2022. She is now styled Jacqueline Pascarl OAM. She is an Independent Director and Trustee of national charity, RSL Australia, the peak body representing Defence Force Veterans in Australia. [5]

Paternal abduction

In 1992, Raja Bahrin came to Melbourne for a pre-arranged custody visit, after which he failed to return the children. After some days of uncertainty of his and the children's whereabouts, Raja Bahrin surfaced with them back in Malaysia. He appeared in an interview on television, but refused to say how he had managed to smuggle them out of Australia, saying only it was the "will of Allah".

It was later revealed that with the help of an accomplice, Bryan Wickham, he had taken them by car to Weipa in Australia's far north, and by boat from the Cape York Peninsula to Merauke, in the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya. From there he took them to Malaysia via Sulawesi, where the authorities retrospectively awarded him custody, and the children were then settled with their father in Terengganu. Wickham spent one year planning the abduction, arranging vehicles and a boat, studying the escape route. [10] Wickham later served nine months in an Australian jail for his part. [10] Malaysia is not a party to the Hague Convention, which recognises custody by the habitual residence of minor children, and so the Convention could not be used to return the children to Australia. [1]

Some controversy surrounded Pascarl soon after the abduction, as she successfully applied to the Australian Family Court to prevent the content of any interview with her children from appearing in the Australian media, the Courts deeming published interviews to be detrimental to the children and contrary to their future reintroduction into Australian society. The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd unsuccessfully appealed the decision. [11] Ray Martin of 60 Minutes had travelled to Malaysia and interviewed the prince and his family there, and while footage of the children appeared on television, what was said by the children was not broadcast in Australia. Some criticism was levelled at Pascarl regarding how she, and her then husband, had dealt with the media,[ citation needed ] but she stated she felt justified in protecting the psychological welfare of her kidnapped children.

Reunited

Despite the fact the Prince had softened his stance in recent years and stated that his children could see their mother sometime after they turned eighteen, Pascarl did not see her children again until 2006 when her twenty-year-old daughter Shahirah (now known simply as Shah) visited her in Melbourne. [12] In August 2006, her son Iddin, now 23, returned to Australia to visit his mother after fourteen years of separation.." [13] Upon the return of his wife's abducted daughter Shah in 2006, her husband Bill was the spokesperson for his wife to the media pack that had formed outside of their house. [12] Jacqueline is now in contact with her children most days.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raja Perempuan Budriah</span> Raja Permaisuri Agong from 1960 to 1965

Raja Perempuan BesarTengku Budriah binti Almarhum Tengku Ismail was the Raja Perempuan of Perlis and the third Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia as the wife of Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tengku Ampuan Afzan</span> Raja Permaisuri Agong from 1979 to 1984

Tengku Ampuan Hajah Afzan Rahimahallah binti Almarhum Tengku Panglima Perang Tengku Muhammad was the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang. She served as Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia between 26 April 1979 and 25 April 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction</span> 1980 multilateral treaty

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or Hague Abduction Convention is a multilateral treaty that provides an expeditious method to return a child who was wrongfully taken by a parent from one country to another country. In order for the Convention to apply, both countries must be Contracting States; i.e. both must have adopted the Convention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Haya bint Hussein</span> King Hussein I of Jordans daughter

Princess Haya bint Al Hussein is the daughter of King Hussein of Jordan and his third wife, the Palestinian Queen Alia. She is the half-sister of King Abdullah II.

Misbah Iram Ahmed Rana, also known as Molly Campbell, is a Scottish woman of mixed Scottish-Pakistani heritage who was at the centre of an alleged child abduction case in August 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuanku Zara Salim</span> Queen consort of Perak since 2014

Tuanku Zara Salim is the Raja Permaisuri of Perak as the wife of Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, the current Sultan of Perak.

Melissa Hawach is a Canadian woman who gained international attention following a complicated custody dispute with her former husband, Joseph Hawach, over the couple's two children. The children—who hold citizenship in Canada, Australia and Lebanon—were taken to Lebanon by their father in July 2006 in violation of Canadian custody orders and subsequently retrieved by their mother in December 2006 in defiance of Lebanese law. The ongoing situation has international implications as regards jurisdiction in cases of multinational custody disputes. Hawach released a book about the ordeal titled "Flight of the Dragonfly" in May 2008.

Pamela Margaret Cooper, known as the Hon. Mrs Patrick Hore-Ruthven between 1939 and 1945, and as Viscountess Ruthven of Canberra between 1945 and 1952, was a British courtier, campaigner for refugees, and humanitarian.

Child abduction or child theft is the unauthorized removal of a minor from the custody of the child's natural parents or legally appointed guardians.

Moira Therese Kelly is an Australian humanitarian worker. In 2001, she was awarded the Order of Australia in recognition of her humanitarian service to both the Australian and international communities. In 2012, Kelly received the Victorian of the Year award and in 2003 and 2004, she was nominated for the Australian of the Year awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catherine Meyer, Baroness Meyer</span> Scottish barrister, broadcaster, and politician

Catherine Irene Jacqueline Meyer, Baroness Meyer,, is a British politician and businesswoman. She is the widow of Sir Christopher Meyer, the British former Ambassador to the United States. In 1999, she founded the charity PACT, now Action Against Abduction. In October 2020, she was appointed as the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Ukraine.

The term international child abduction is generally synonymous with international parental kidnapping,child snatching, and child stealing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International child abduction in Brazil</span>

International child abduction in Brazil comprises cases in which the removal of a child by one of the joint holders of custody or non-custodial or contested parents to Brazil in contravention of other laws of other countries and/or the desires of other custody claimants. The phenomenon of international child abduction is defined in international law and legislated on by the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which entered into force in Brazil on January 1, 2000, and aims to trace abducted children, secure their prompt return to the country of habitual residence and organize or secure effective rights of access. In 2010 Brazil was accused by the US State Department of being non-compliant with the Hague Convention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raja Zarith Sofiah</span> Raja Permaisuri Agong since 2024

Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah is the Queen of Malaysia, and the Queen Consort of Johor, as a wife of Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar. She was born as a member of the Perak royal family. While still attending Somerville College, Oxford, she married the heir to the throne of Johor. Now a mother of six, she participates in the work of non-governmental organisations and universities, and writes a periodical column for a newspaper.

Touch the Sun is a series of television films commissioned by Patricia Edgar for the Australian Children's Television Foundation. It was to be the ACTF's project for the Australian Bicentenary celebrations in 1988. The Australian Bicentennial Authority named Touch the Sun as the Bicentenary official children's series for 1988. Edgar's plan was to locate stories in every state in Australia showing the diversity of the Australian landscape. It was directed, written and produced by some of the top film and tv personnel in Australia. Patricia Edgar was Executive Producer of the show and it was backed by the ABC, Australian Film Commission, the New South Wales Film Corporation, the South Australian Film and Television Financing Fund, the South Australian Film Corporation, Film Victoria and the French distribution company Revcom International. National Trustees agreed to act as investor representatives for Touch the Sun in 1986 and the series was offered to the Australian Television networks for telecast in 1988. The $7.5 million necessary for production of this unique children’s series for the Bicentennial year was fully subscribed by 30 June 1987. The ABC paid $2 million for the Australian rights to Touch the Sun, the most the ABC had ever spent to acquire the rights to a program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail</span> Crown Prince of Perlis (born 1967)

Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail is the Raja Muda of Perlis and heir apparent to the Perlis throne. He is the only son of the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.

Dato' Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah bin Raja Ahmad Baharuddin Shah is a Malaysian politician who served as the Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and former Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin from July 2018 to the collapse of the PH administration in February 2020 and the Senator from July 2018 to July 2021 as well as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kuala Terengganu from May 2013 to May 2018. He is a member of the National Trust Party (AMANAH), a component party of the PH coalition. He has served as the State Chairman of PH of Terengganu since August 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah</span> Queen consort of Pahang since 2019

Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah binti Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj is the Tengku Ampuan of the state of Pahang as the first wife of Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. Previously, she was the 16th Raja Permaisuri Agong during her husband's reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 2019 to 2024. She is also the younger sister of the 17th and current Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tengku Zatashah</span> Malaysian noblewoman

Tengku Zatashah binti Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj is a member of the Selangor royal family who is the second daughter of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the current and ninth Sultan of Selangor.

Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan binti Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is a Malaysian mental health activist and member of the Pahang royal family who is the Tengku Puteri Raja. She is the eldest daughter of Al-Sultan Abdullah, the 6th Sultan of Pahang and 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia. She serves as the royal patron of the J’keb Foundation and the National Coalition for Mental Wellbeing. Tengku Iman was appointed by the World Health Organization to serve as the International Patron of World Mental Health Day in 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 "Custody issues involving Australian children". Helping Australians Abroad A Review of the Australian Government's Consular Services. Parliament of Australia. 2003. Retrieved 24 May 2006.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. ↑ Reunited by secret email | The Courier-Mail Archived 10 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Son's arrival completes Pascarl reunion | The Age Archived 15 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ https://jnf.org.au/jnforevervic/
  5. 1 2 https://thrive50plus.com/2022/07/18/once-a-princess-now-an-earth-angel-jacqueline-pascarl/
  6. ↑ Hawthorn angels spring into action with clothing donations | Progress Leader Archived 19 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ [ permanent dead link ]
  8. ↑ "Jacqueline Pascarl – Speaker Profile –". Saxton Speakers Bureau.
  9. ↑ https://rslvic.com.au/news/jacqueline-pascarl-volunteer
  10. 1 2 "Gillespie kidnapper tells all". Archived from the original on 19 September 2006.
  11. ↑ Gillespie v Bahrin [1993] FamCA 54 , (1993) FLC 92; 388 16 Fam LR 642(7 June 1993), Family Court (Australia).
  12. 1 2 Doherty, Ben (5 April 2006). "Mother meets kidnapped daughter". Melbourne: The Age . Retrieved 31 May 2006.
  13. ↑ "A family reunion laced with drama". Melbourne: The Age. 23 August 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2006.

Other sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.