The Russian Federation and Lesotho have deposited their instruments of accession to the 1996 Hague Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children.

The 1996 Convention will enter into force for both countries on 1st June 2013.

Lesotho has also acceded to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which will enter into force on 1st September 2012.

Both Conventions are important, widely ratified multilateral instruments which protect the safety and welfare of children all over the world.

The 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention applies typically where one parent has moved a child abroad without the consent of the other parent and without the permission of a court. In such a case, the “left behind” parent may apply through the Hague system for the prompt return of the child, and a “return order” will be issued unless the “taking parent” can establish that one of the exceptions found in the Convention should be applied.

The 1996 Hague Child Protection Convention provides for co-operation among States Parties on a wide range of cross-border child protection matters, e.g., parental disputes over contact with children, the protection of runaway children and cross-border care.

Source:  Hague Conference on Private International Law