Presentation

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (aka Hague Abduction Convention).

For those who are lucky enough and are not familiar with this Convention, please refer to “Wikipedia” for a brief explanation of what this Convention means:

In a nutshell, in cases where parents wrongfully remove their children from another country, this Convention, known as The 1980 Hague Convention, mainly governs how a case is handled. More than 90 countries have acceded to the Convention. For an up-to-date list of the countries it applies to, see “HCCH”.

Using the United States as an example (mainly because of its data transparency and online availability), we can see that even very influential countries find it difficult to retrieve their abducted children. Statistically, the ratio between abducted children versus the returned ones ranges roughly from ~32% (in 2008) to ~51% (in 2013):

Source:

Reported Abductions and returns

The Truth About Child Abduction Statistics in 2024

Based on my personal and authentic (unfortunately) experience, The Hague Convention does not work in a contracting state like Belarus or Russia. Where denial of justice, discrimination, and chauvinism is a rule, and you, as a foreigner, will be run over in any of their courts.

Let’s not forget the current situation of Belarus, including its poor status in terms of human rights violations, etcetera. You cannot expect any miracles there. The degree of public corruption (including the private sectors often using the so-called “Kryshas”, which means “Roof” – protection for loyalty to the regime, money, etcetera) and the judicial arrogance will shock even the most thick-skinned individuals.

You will quickly learn that what they describe as “The Best Interest of the Child” for them means “The Best Interest of Themselves”. You will never find common ground with them. They live in their own world, on another planet, and are entirely convinced that they are always right. That is, by the way, the general mindset of the people belonging to the Russian World!

The idea of this Convention sounds very noble. But unfortunately, not all contracting states follow and respect its principles, articles, and obligations under this agreement.

There are many reasons why. One of them, and a very strong one, is the government’s business and political interests that face each other through these abductions. Just think about how far can you, an ordinary citizen, realistically proceed. If, somewhere in the background, there is a ton of money at stake and other vital connections between these states? And, even if the countries fight and get their abducted children back (USA and France are good examples), many left-behind parents find themselves ignored and neglected by their own governments.

However, that does not mean that the left-behind parents have no voice or choice and will give up and watch others walking on them.

On the contrary, as you can see, I am one of the solid and loud voices that definitely won’t be held back by any corrupted systems, political prostitutes, or authorities, reluctant to support and stand by your side, like the Swedish authorities, for example.

I want to ask any left-behind parents to reach out to me whenever they feel like it. I am prepared to organize more parents worldwide, no matter the country. Only when we are well organized will we be able to push harder for our rights. And do not forget, there are many of us. The number is growing each day, and thanks to the internet, we can easily connect.

The judicial parody in Belarus and Japan must STOP! The Hague Convention must start to be “EFFECTIVE” and “RESPECTED” by the contracting STATES’. As it is now, The Hague Convention reminds us more about a toothless organization with no authority.

Nicolaos AA Cheropoulos
Father of Anthie and Alexandra
Stockholm, April 2020
Reviewed Oct. 2023