Child Abduction

The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child

Abduction, to which the UK is a signatory, aims to ensure that abducted or
unlawfully retained children are returned to where they normally live for
custody matters to be resolved by the local courts. Unfortunately, many
countries are not signatories to the convention and it is far more difficult for
parents to regain access if their children are abducted to these countries.
This is why we strongly believe that all countries should sign and properly
implement the convention.

In 2010 we assisted in 312 cases of child abduction to non-signatory

countries. In one case a father contacted us about his young son who was
abducted by his mother from the UK to a country in Africa. We were able to
conduct a consular visit and pass the father information about his son’s
wellbeing. We also registered an interest in the case with the local courts and
lobbied the foreign government at ministerial level. At the end of the year, the
father was awaiting the outcome of custody proceedings in the local courts,
and we continued to be on hand to give him advice and support.

As well as offering assistance on individual cases, we encouraged foreign

governments to sign the Hague Convention and facilitate the return of children
to their homes. In 2010 we funded a workshop in Pakistan to increase
understanding amongst the Pakistani judiciary of the UK–Pakistan Protocol, a
bilateral agreement on child abduction, and in 2011 we are planning two
follow-up workshops to disseminate good practice. Our approach means we
support parents of abducted children in the short term, as well as promoting
international procedures that prevent abductions and resolve cases quickly.

The Government intends to ratify the 1996 Hague Convention on Parental

Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children in 2011, which will
enhance the measures of the 1980 convention. However more needs to be
achieved with countries that are not party to the convention. Making greater
use of the UK’s international influence, for example through ministerial
intervention on cases or linking child abduction to other issues in certain
countries, will be key to encouraging wider participation in the convention and
improving international procedures on child abduction. Sadly, we anticipate a
rise in parental child abductions in 2011 and even greater demand for our
assistance. We will address this increased demand by working more closely
with, and providing more self-help information to, those affected. We will also
continue to raise awareness of the problem so parents have a greater
understanding of what they can do to prevent their children from being
abducted.