Review Of The Hague Convention On Child Abduction

EDM number 980 in 1999-00, proposed by Bill Olner on 17/07/2000.

That this House notes with concern the rising incidence of child abduction world-wide; believes that this trend may well continue unless firmer international action is taken; deeply regrets that some of the signatories to the Hague Convention on Child Abduction, including certain EU members states, fail to give effect to all of the Convention's provisions in some individual cases; considers it is of the utmost importance that the 2001 Review of the Hague Convention results in positive and specific action to improve adherence to both the letter and spirit of the Convention by the central authorities of signatory countries; calls on the Central Authority for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and on the Central Authority for Scotland to consult at an early date with interested parties, particularly with Reunite, the National Charity for Child Abduction, on improvements to the operation of the Convention; and urges the Government to take the lead internationally ensuring that the Hague Convention Review meeting next year is attended by Ministers.

This motion has been signed by a total of 116 MPs.