The convention holds out the best available chance of getting an abducted child returned and discourages abduction as a means of resolving a custody matter by requiring that the child be returned to the country where they reside. The convention and its signatory states firmly believe that the interests of children are of paramount importance. It is their goal to protect children from the harmful effects of their wrongful removal from their habitual residence. It is also their intention to ensure that the rights of custody and access under the laws of signatory states are respected in other signatory states. Convention does not apply to abductions occuring prior to the effective date.
Child abduction is a tragedy especially when the abductor is a parent.
With international travel rates increasing, so has the risk of international child abductions. Child abduction, whether international or domestic, creates difficulties both emotional and financial for the custodial parent. If the country where the child has been taken to is a signatory to the Hague Convention you simply submit an Application for Assistance Under the Hague Convention on Child Abduction and they assist you in your search. Parents in this situation do have remedies. First, check the laws of that particular country.