Netherlands: Changing Hague Abduction Case Practice

It is reported that the Dutch State will no longer take legal action against Dutch citizens in cases of international child abduction, under a legislative amendment agreed by the Dutch cabinet.

Currently, the Dutch Central Authority -- which is the part of the Justice Ministry responsible for the implementation of the 1980 The Hague Child Abduction Treaty --acts as the legal representative of the foreign parent when a child is abducted by the Dutch parent to the Netherlands. Under the new law, the Central Authority will only refer the foreign partner to an external lawyer.

The proposed bill accedes to complaints by Dutch parents that the Dutch state takes the side of the foreign parents.