The Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (HCCH 1996 Child Protection Convention) is a multilateral treaty covering a broad range of civil measures to protect children in cross-border situations. The Convention provides uniform rules that prevent conflicting decisions, enable cross-border co-operation between authorities, and secure the recognition and enforcement of measures among Contracting Parties. The "Child Protection 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 protection.
Explanatory documents:
- Explanatory Report
- Preparatory work, published in the Proceedings of the Eighteenth Session (1996) – tome II, Protection of children
Publications:
- Practical Handbook on the Operation of the 1996 Child Protection Convention
- Practitioners’ Tool: Cross-Border Recognition and Enforcement of Agreements Reached in the Course of Family Matters Involving Children
- The Application of the 1996 Child Protection Convention to Unaccompanied and Separated Children
Implementation Checklist for new Contracting Parties:
Special Commissions:
25th Anniversary of the 1996 Child Protection Convention:
Questionnaires & Responses:
- Questionnaire concerning the practical operation of the 1996 Child Protection Convention (Prel. Doc. No 2 of October 2022)
- Responses
- Questionnaire concerning the practical operation of the 1996 Child Protection Convention (Prel. Doc. No 1 of December 2016)
- Questionnaire concerning the practical operation of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention and the 1996 Child Protection Convention (Prel. Doc. No 1 of November 2010)
