Online seminar on the HCCA
- Details
- Published: December 17, 2020
On 9 December 2020, IRZ and the Ministry of Education and Science for the Republic of Kazakhstan organised an online seminar on the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (HCCA). The objective of the convention is to restore the status quo through the prompt return of children who have been wrongfully removed or retained, with the help of cooperation between central authorities.
The HCCA came into force in Kazakhstan on 1 September 2013. On 8 December 2016, the European Council authorised the member states to approve the accession of Kazakhstan to the HCCA in the interests of the European Union. With relation to Germany, the convention came into force on 1 May 2017. An HCCA conference had already taken place with Kazakhstan in 2015 to lay the foundations for the current cooperation.
The following European and German experts represented IRZ at the online seminar:
- Dr. Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law
- Dr. Gérardine Goh Escolar, First Secretary of the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Convention on Private International Law
- Ulrike Kluth, a desk officer in charge of international child custody, child abduction and the protection of children and adults at the German Federal Office of Justice
- Dr. Joanna Guttzeit, a judge at the Local Court of Pankow/Weißensee, a liaison magistrate in the International Hague Network of Judges and a liaison magistrate in the European Judicial Network
In his lecture on “40 years since the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction”, Dr. Christophe Bernasconi outlined the main achievements of the HCCA and emphasised the associated responsibility in HCCA proceedings for children’s welfare.
Dr. Goh Escolar examined in detail the exemption under article 13 para. 1b HCCA if “there is a grave risk of exposing the child to physical or psychological harm” and presented the practical application of this most frequently applied exemption and the resulting difficulties in some cases.
Ulrike Kluth presented the best practices of the German Federal Office of Justice in connection with the seminar topic. After all, as a central authority in Germany, the German Federal Office carries out its duties in accordance with the provisions of international family law.
Dr. Joanna Guttzeit spoke about the practical work and duties of judges in international child abduction proceedings. She gave details of the “Mediator in court” pilot scheme. This scheme ensures that mediators are present in court during international child abduction proceedings and keep the parents informed about the mediation process.
The Kazakh speakers presented the current situation in Kazakhstan, the role of the relevant authority in international child abduction cases and ensuring cross-border cooperation in this area.
The seminar was a great success. The participants had plenty of opportunities to discuss any outstanding issues. There is a great deal of interest from both sides in continuing and intensifying the cooperation on the HCCA. IRZ is happy to continue supporting other types of event covering this subject in future.
