The recent review of the practical operation of the Hague Abduction and Child Protection Conventions has drawn to a close, with the Special Commission making a number of recommendations to improve the way the Conventions operate in Contracting States. 

 

The Special Commission reviewed statistics on the operation of the 1980 Hague Abduction Convention in 2008, which usually applies when one parent takes a child abroad without the consent of the other parent or a court. The report presented to the Commission reflected a substantial increase in the number of applications for return of children, a marginally lower number of returns, an increase in the number of withdrawn applications and longer time periods to process applications.

 

The Commission noted the importance of mediation in cross-border family disputes, and welcomed a new practice guide, as part of an effort to encourage parents reach agreements on matters of custody and contact with their children, as well as international family relocation.

 

The Special Commission also suggested various measures to improve the operation of the 1996 Hague Child Protection Convention, which provides for co-operation among the State Parties on a wide range of cross-border child protection matters, e.g., parental disputes over contact with children, the protection of runaway children, and cross-border care.

 

Additional work on the 1996 Child Protection Convention will take place during Part II of the Special Commission, scheduled for early 2012.