International Child Abduction

What happens in a case of International Child Abduction is that one parent has taken a child away from the other, and has taken the child to another country. This has been done without the permission of the first parent, who has legal custody of the child, or in breach of existing agreements. Sometimes the child is not brought or sent home in time, which can also be considered child abduction.

In order to tackle the problem of International Child Abduction, a large number of countries have reached mutual agreements, which are laid down in two international conventions. For the parent left behind it is important to know whether the child has been taken to a country, which has signed these agreements. (Click here to view a list of signatory countries).

If it is likely that the child has been taken to one of these countries, the parent left behind can turn to the Central Authority, part of the Dutch Justice Department. The Dutch Central Authority cooperates closely with Central Authorities in other member countries of the conventions. Even when the child has been taken to a country, which is not a signatory, you can contact the Central Authority. They will assist you in getting help from the Dutch State Department (Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken), in trying to have the child returned to The Netherlands.

If you're confronted with an International Child Abduction, you should contact the Central Authority in The Hague as soon as possible. To report an International Child Abduction, or to order a brochure on this topic (in English), you can reach the Central Authority at telephone number 070-370 6252 (Monday to Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.). Sending a fax to the Central Authority can be done at 070-370 7507, at all times.

Furthermore it is important to report the abduction to local police. A crime might have been committed, of which you can file a complaint. Police can, in consultation with the Central Authority and the Public Prosecutor's Office, assist in locating the abducted child and possibly the abducting parent.

    The Centrum Internationale Kinderontvoering

The Centrum Internationale Kinderontvoering (the center for international child abduction) offers up-to-date information (in Dutch), advice and support to those who encounter an international abduction of (or the threat of such an abduction of) a child in their personal or professional environment. The Center employs legal experts on the topic of international abduction of children. They will be happy to inform you about the possibilities within the law and will help you search for solutions to your problem.