The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday dismissed reports the Brazilian government is planning to stop issuing visas to Taiwanese to protest against Taiwan's handling of a custody dispute.
A Brazilian parliamentarian has appealed to Brazil's Ministry of Justice to react to Taiwan's delay in returning Taiwanese-Brazilian Iruan Ergui Wu (
The reports said the ministry planned to restrict entry to Brazil of Taiwanese if Taiwan's justice authorities fail abide by a court decision to return the boy by Feb. 4.
However, MOFA spokesman Richard Shih (
"This is merely the opinion of a Brazilian parliamentarian," Shih said.
Shih also denied the Taiwanese government has purposely delayed issuing a Taiwanese passport to Iruan. A Taiwanese passport is needed for the boy to return to Brazil.
Last November the Supreme Court upheld the Taiwan High Court's decision that Iruan's legal guardian is his Brazilian grandmother, Rosa Ergui, and the boy should be returned to her.
According to the court decision, Iruan should be returned by Feb. 4.
But Iruan's Taiwanese relatives have not given up their hope to keep the boy in this country.
Wu Huo-yen (
"We need the government's help to deal with Iruan's case ? I have no comment on the Brazilian government's plan," Wu said.
"We hope the government can help us to let Iruan stay in Taiwan," Wu said.
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