A MOTHER is locked in a battle for the return of her two sons, whom she claims have been abducted by her ex-husband living in Argentina.
Andrea Gutwirth is pinning her hopes on the Government's adoption of the Hague Convention on Child Abduction last month to reclaim her sons Hendrik, 14, and Alexander, 12, who went on holiday to South America with their father at Christmas but never returned.
Ms Gutwirth said her life and the lives of her daughters Stefanie, 17, and Adriana, 18, had been turned upside down since a phone call from her ex-husband, Andrew Gutwirth, days before her sons were due back, telling her they would be remaining with him.
Ms Gutwirth said she was awarded full care and control of the children when the parents divorced in 1991 and had secured a Hong Kong court order for the boys' return.
The Argentine Consulate has offered help, but much rests on the introduction of the Child Abduction and Custody Ordinance, bringing the territory into the Hague Convention. Argentina is also a signatory to the convention providing for the return of children wrongfully removed.
'After getting that telephone call I was totally in shock,' Ms Gutwirth, 41, said.
