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The Hague Convention on International Child Abduction (HC) was set up in 1980 to prevent non custodial fathers abducting their children abroad. Today the Convention is being misused by perpetrators of abuse and in over 75% of cases it is used against primary carer mothers who are fleeing abuse and violence to return to the safety of their ‘home’ country. 

Most had no idea the Convention even existed: 

“When I packed my bags to study abroad at Uni I could never have anticipated what would happen. I was raped in my first year… I quickly realised after the birth, it wasn’t possible to manage university, my part-time job and looking after my son on my own - so I left and went back home with him. 

After I returned home with my son, I was served with international parental child abduction charges. I had never heard of the Hague Convention and was shocked I had broken an international law. I was terrified, I just wanted to support my child. 

The judge ruled against me, I lost the case and was ordered back. I couldn’t get a new visa so I had to return on a tourist visa, hoping I would be able to sort out a place to live and work when I got there. A social worker told me perhaps I should just send my baby overseas on his own. I couldn’t believe they could even suggest something like that about my baby, he was breastfeeding and I was his mum…

I am not eligible for any governmental support and I regularly skip meals to feed my son. The Hague Convention is a shambles. It destroys lives.”

How the system is failing victims:

• The default presumption is to return the child, which results in minimising the safety of the child and primary carer. Courts are taking the stance of ‘return’ at all cost and rarely accept any of the Convention’s ‘exceptions’ to return. 
• Even when there is evidence of domestic abuse, or ‘grave risk of harm’ the courts routinely order the return of children with ineffective ‘Protective Measures’.
• There is no safeguarding policy or risk assessment to protect children returned under the Convention and no follow up checks on children to ensure they are safe. 
• The ‘taking’ parent cannot automatically receive legal aid whereas the petitioning parent gets full legal aid. 
• Many parents accidently fall foul of this law because it is not generally known about and the concept of ‘habitual residence’ is inconsistent and unclear. 
• Parents who return with their child under the Convention can face discrimination, separate criminal charges and intolerable circumstances upon return such as loss of custody even if they have always been the primary caregiver.

Urgent action is needed:

• States must be obligated to collect data on numbers of respondents reporting domestic abuse and the outcomes for families
• Independent Review of the Convention that address our concerns and results in recommended changes
• Introduction of a regulatory body to provide oversight of the Convention that includes experts on domestic violence and child abuse 

Right now, we have a unique opportunity for change. In October, the Eighth Special Commission meeting is taking place in the Netherlands, where representatives from around the world will discuss this controversial multilateral treaty. GlobalARRK, together with 9 other charities* from around the world are calling on  governments to review the Convention and introduce a regulatory body to oversee future implementation of the law.

Please sign and share this petition to keep vulnerable families safer. 

With thanks, 

GlobalARRK, UK and Global
NZ Hague Collective, New Zealand
Ark of Hope, Australia
Hague Collective, U.S. 
Sanctuary for Families, U.S. 
Hague Mothers Japan
Maes de Haia, Brazil
Revibra, Europe/ Brazil
Far From Home, India
FiLiA Hague Mothers, UK and Global

Can you help us with printing and travel costs to hand in the petition? Any donation is very welcome: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/protect-hague-victims

Would you like to share your Hague story in order to raise awareness and prevent this happening to others? Please click this link: https://forms.gle/oHfTXqKLRAUaScJ26