Meeting of the Working Party on Mediation
On 12 May 2026, the Working Party on Cross-Border Family Mediation in the Context of the Malta Process (Working Party on Mediation) met online. The meeting had 25 registered participants, representing 13 HCCH Members and one Observer non-Member Contracting Party to the 1980 Child Abduction Convention, in addition to members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. During the meeting,...
Second meeting of the WG on Article 33 of the 1996 Child Protection Convention
On 22 April 2026, the second meeting of the Working Group (WG) on the operation of Article 33 of the 1996 Child Protection Convention was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB). The meeting had close to 65 registered delegates and other experts, representing 31 HCCH Members, two Observer non-Member Contracting Parties and one Observer organisation, in addition to members of the PB. ...
First meeting of the WG on Article 33 of the 1996 Child Protection Convention
In March 2024, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) mandated the establishment of a Working Group (WG) on the operation of Article 33 of the 1996 Child Protection Convention, first, to develop a Model Form and, subsequently, a Guide on the application of Article 33 (see C&D No 26 of CGAP 2024). The first meeting of the WG was held online on 8 April 2026, hosted by the Permanent...
1996 Child Protection Convention enters into force for Argentina
On 1 January 2026, 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 (1996 Child Protection Convention) entered into force for the Argentine Republic following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 18 September 2025. The 1996 Child Protection...
1996 Child Protection Convention enters into force for the Republic of Moldova
On 1 January 2026, 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 (1996 Child Protection Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Moldova following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 11 March 2025. The 1996 Child Protection Convention...
New e-Country Profiles for key HCCH Conventions now available
Meeting of the Working Party on Mediation
On 26 November 2025, the Working Party on Cross-Border Family Mediation in the Context of the Malta Process (Working Party on Mediation) met online. The meeting had over 30 registered participants, representing 16 HCCH Members and two Observer States, in addition to members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. During the meeting, participants heard about the system of cross-border mediation...
1996 Child Protection Convention enters into force for Belize
On 1 October 2025, 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 (1996 Child Protection Convention) entered into force for Belize following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 12 December 2024. The 1996 Child Protection Convention has 58...
Argentina ratifies the 1996 Child Protection Convention
Today, 18 September 2025, the Argentine Republic deposited its instrument of ratification of 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 (1996 Child Protection Convention). At the ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands,...
Roundtable and Training on the application of the 1980 Child Abduction and 1996 Child Protection Conventions, in particular concerning the children of Ukraine
On 11 and 12 September 2025, the Permanent Bureau (PB) of the HCCH hosted a Roundtable and Training on the application of the 1980 Child Abduction and 1996 Child Protection Conventions, in particular concerning the children of Ukraine. The event, held in hybrid format, had close to 85 registered participants, representing 25 HCCH Members and three Observers, in addition to members of the PB. The...