Welcome to the Child Abduction Section


 

 Introduction

The Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a multilateral treaty, which seeks to protect children from the harmful effects of abduction and retention across international boundaries by providing a procedure to bring about their prompt return. The "Child Abduction Section" provides information about the operation of the Convention and the work of the Hague Conference in monitoring its implementation and promoting international co-operation in the area of child abduction.


Please note that the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference has no mandate to assist in individual abduction cases. If you have a question relating to international child abduction and your country is a Party to the 1980 Child Abduction Convention, please contact the Central Authority designated by your country.

 The Convention

 Explanatory documents 

 Contracting States

 Central Authorities

 Guides to Good Practice

 INCADAT: the International Child Abduction Database 

 iChild: the Electronic Case Management System for the Child Abduction Convention

 INCASTAT: International Child Abduction Statistics

 Non-Hague Convention Child Abductions

 Special Commission meetings on the practical operation of the Convention (click here to view all practical operation documents)

 Questionnaires and responses (click here to view all questionnaires and responses)

 The International Hague Network of Judges

 Judicial Communications

 Judicial Seminars on the International Protection of Children

 The Hague Project for International Co-operation and the Protection of Children

  The Judges' Newsletter on International Child Protection

 International Centre for Judicial Studies and Technical Assistance

 Bibliography 

 Links to related websites

 Latest updates on this website with regard to the Child Abduction Convention