The Hague Special Commission has met to review the practical operation of two important child protection Conventions which protect the safety and welfare of children all over the world.

 

The 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention, which is now in operation in 85 States, allows a parent to apply for a 'return order' where their child has been taken abroad by the other parent without the consent of the first parent or permission of a court.

 

The 1996 Hague Child Protection Convention, which currently has 32 State Parties and many more ready to join, provides a mechanism for member States to co-operate in a variety of cross-border child protection issues, such as child custody and visitation rights.

 

The Special Commission programme includes, among other things, presentations and discussions on:

• Domestic violence allegations and return proceedings.
• A statistical survey of cases pertaining to the Hague Abduction Convention.
• Mediation principles and discussion of a draft Guide to Good Practice on Mediation.
• Development of the International Hague Network of Judges, a global network of judges who act as a channel of communication and liaison with other judges within their own jurisdictions and in other Contracting States for issues relevant to the Hague Abduction Convention.

 

Conclusions and Recommendations of the Special Commission on the above topics, as well as other items discussed, will be issued following the closing of the meeting.