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• Special Family Law Issues for Foreign Residents • Prenuptial Agreement • Md. Divorce proceeding • Convention on Abduction |
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(1) Pursuant to the second paragraph of Article 24 and Article 42, the United States makes the following reservation: All applications, communications and other documents sent to the U.S. Central Authority should be accompanied by their translation into English. (2) Pursuant to the third paragraph of Article 26, the United States
declares that it will not be bound to assume any costs or expenses resulting
from the participation of legal counsel or advisers or from court and
legal proceedings in connection with efforts to return children from the
United States pursuant to the Convention except insofar as those costs
or expenses are covered by a legal aid program. DONE at the city of Washington this seventh day of November in the year
of our Lord one thousand nine hundred eighty-eight and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred thirteenth. The States signatory to the present Convention
Firmly convinced that the interests of children are of paramount importance in matters relating to their custody, Desiring to protect children internationally from the harmful effects of their wrongful removal or retention and to establish procedures to ensure their prompt return to the State of their habitual residence, as well as to secure protection for rights of access, Have resolved to conclude a Convention to this effect, and have agreed
upon the following provisions - The objects of the present Convention are - a to secure the prompt return of children wrongfully removed to or retained in any Contracting State; and b to ensure that rights of custody and of access under the law of one
Contracting State are effectively respected in the other Contracting States. Contracting States shall take all appropriate measures to secure within
their territories the implementation of the objects of the Convention.
For this purpose they shall use the most expeditious procedures available. The removal or the retention of a child is to be considered wrongful where - a it is in breach of rights of custody attributed to a person, an institution or any other body, either jointly or alone, under the law of the State in which the child was habitually resident immediately before the removal or retention; and b at the time of removal or retention those rights were actually exercised, either jointly or alone, or would have been so exercised but for the removal or retention. The rights of custody mentioned in sub-paragraph a above, may arise in
particular by operation of law or by reason of a judicial or administrative
decision, or by reason of an agreement having legal effect under the law
of that State. The Convention shall apply to any child who was habitually resident in
a Contracting State immediately before any breach of custody or access
rights. The Convention shall cease to apply when the child attains the
age of 16 years. For the purposes of this Convention - a 'rights of custody' shall include rights relating to the care of the person of the child and, in particular, the right to determine the child's place of residence; b 'rights of access' shall include the right to take a child for a limited
period of time to a place other than the child's habitual residence. A Contracting State shall designate a Central Authority to discharge the duties which are imposed by the Convention upon such authorities. Federal States, States with more than one system of law or States having
autonomous territorial organizations shall be free to appoint more than
one Central Authority and to specify the territorial extent of their powers.
Where a State has appointed more than one Central Authority, it shall
designate the Central Authority to which applications may be addressed
for transmission to the appropriate Central Authority within that State. Central Authorities shall co-operate with each other and promote co-operation amongst the competent authorities in their respective States to secure the prompt return of children and to achieve the other objects of this Convention. In particular, either directly or through any intermediary, they shall take all appropriate measures - a to discover the whereabouts of a child who has been wrongfully removed or retained; b to prevent further harm to the child or prejudice to interested parties by taking or causing to be taken provisional measures; c to secure the voluntary return of the child or to bring about an amicable resolution of the issues; d to exchange, where desirable, information relating to the social background of the child; e to provide information of a general character as to the law of their State in connection with the application of the Convention; f to initiate or facilitate the institution of judicial or administrative proceedings with a view to obtaining the return of the child and, in a proper case, to make arrangements for organizing or securing the effective exercise of rights of access; g where the circumstances so require, to provide or facilitate the provision of legal aid and advice, including the participation of legal counsel and advisers; h to provide such administrative arrangements as may be necessary and appropriate to secure the safe return of the child; i to keep each other informed with respect to the operation of this Convention
and, as far as possible, to eliminate any obstacles to its application. Any person, institution or other body claiming that a child has been removed or retained in breach of custody rights may apply either to the Central Authority of the child's habitual residence or to the Central Authority of any other Contracting State for assistance in securing the return of the child. The application shall contain - a information concerning the identity of the applicant, of the child and of the person alleged to have removed or retained the child; b where available, the date of birth of the child; c the grounds on which the applicant's claim for return of the child is based; d all available information relating to the whereabouts of the child and the identity of the person with whom the child is presumed to be. The application may be accompanied or supplemented by - e an authenticated copy of any relevant decision or agreement; f a certificate or an affidavit emanating from a Central Authority, or other competent authority of the State of the child's habitual residence, or from a qualified person, concerning the relevant law of that State; g any other relevant document. If the Central Authority which receives an application referred to in
Article 8 has reason to believe that the child is in another Contracting
State, it shall directly and without delay transmit the application to
the Central Authority of that Contracting State and inform the requesting
Central Authority, or the applicant, as the case may be. The Central Authority of the State where the child is shall take or cause
to be taken all appropriate measures in order to obtain the voluntary
return of the child. The judicial or administrative authorities of Contracting States shall act expeditiously in proceedings for the return of children. If the judicial or administrative authority concerned has not reached
a decision within six weeks from the date of commencement of the proceedings,
the applicant or the Central Authority of the requested State, on its
own initiative or if asked by the Central Authority of the requesting
State, shall have the right to request a statement of the reasons for
the delay. If a reply is received by the Central Authority of the requested
State, that Authority shall transmit the reply to the Central Authority
of the requesting State. or to the applicant, as the case may be. Where a child has been wrongfully removed or retained in terms of Article 3 and, at the date of the commencement of the proceedings before the judicial or administrative authority of the Contracting State where the child is, a period of less than one year has elapsed from the date of the wrongful removal or retention, the authority concerned shall order the return of the child forthwith. The judicial or administrative authority, even where the proceedings have been commenced after the expiration of the period of one year referred to in the preceding paragraph, shall also order the return of the child, unless it is demonstrated that the child is now settled in its new environment. Where the judicial or administrative authority in the requested State
has reason to believe that the child has been taken to another State,
it may stay the proceedings or dismiss the application for the return
of the child. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding Article, the judicial or administrative authority of the requested State is not bound to order the return of the child if the person, institution or other body which opposes its return establishes that - a the person, institution or other body having the care of the person of the child was not actually exercising the custody rights at the time of removal or retention, or had consented to or subsequently acquiesced in the removal or retention; or b there is a grave risk that his or her return would expose the child to physical or psychological harm or otherwise place the child in an intolerable situation. The judicial or administrative authority may also refuse to order the return of the child if it finds that the child objects to being returned and has attained an age and degree of maturity at which it is appropriate to take account of its views. In considering the circumstances referred to in this Article, the judicial
and administrative authorities shall take into account the information
relating to the social background of the child provided by the Central
Authority or other competent authority of the child's habitual residence. In ascertaining whether there has been a wrongful removal or retention
within the meaning of Article 3, the judicial or administrative authorities
of the requested State may take notice directly of the law of, and of
judicial or administrative decisions, formally recognized or not in the
State of the habitual residence of the child, without recourse to the
specific procedures for the proof of that law or for the recognition of
foreign decisions which would otherwise be applicable. The judicial or administrative authorities of a Contracting State may,
prior to the making of an order for the return of the child, request that
the applicant obtain from the authorities of the State of the habitual
residence of the child a decision or other determination that the removal
or retention was wrongful within the meaning of Article 3 of the Convention,
where such a decision or determination may be obtained in that State.
The Central Authorities of the Contracting States shall so far as practicable
assist applicants to obtain such a decision or determination. After receiving notice of a wrongful removal or retention of a child
in the sense of Article 3, the judicial or administrative authorities
of the Contracting State to which the child has been removed or in which
it has been retained shall not decide on the merits of rights of custody
until it has been determined that the child is not to be returned under
this Convention or unless an application under this Convention is not
lodged within a reasonable time following receipt of the notice. The sole fact that a decision relating to custody has been given in or
is entitled to recognition in the requested State shall not be a ground
for refusing to return a child under this Convention, but the judicial
or administrative authorities of the requested State may take account
of the reasons for that decision in applying this Convention. The provisions of this Chapter do not limit the power of a judicial or
administrative authority to order the return of the child at any time. A decision under this Convention concerning the return of the child shall
not be taken to be a determination on the merits of any custody issue. The return of the child under the provisions of Article 12 may be refused
if this would not be permitted by the fundamental principles of the requested
State relating to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. An application to make arrangements for organizing or securing the effective exercise of rights of access may be presented to the Central Authorities of the Contracting States in the same way as an application for the return of a child. The Central Authorities are bound by the obligations of co-operation which are set forth in Article 7 to promote the peaceful enjoyment of access rights and the fulfilment of any conditions to which the exercise of those rights may be subject. The Central Authorities shall take steps to remove, as far as possible, all obstacles to the exercise of such rights. The Central Authorities, either directly or through intermediaries, may
initiate or assist in the institution of proceedings with a view to organizing
or protecting these rights and securing respect for the conditions to
which the exercise of these rights may be subject. No security, bond or deposit, however described, shall be required to
guarantee the payment of costs and expenses in the judicial or administrative
proceedings falling within the scope of this Convention. No legalization or similar formality may be required in the context of
this Convention. Any application, communication or other document sent to the Central Authority of the requested State shall be in the original language, and shall be accompanied by a translation into the official language or one of the official languages of the requested State or, where that is not feasible, a translation into French or English. However, a Contracting State may, by making a reservation in accordance with Article 42, object to the use of either French or English, but not both, in any application, communication or other document sent to its Central Authority. n1
Nationals of the Contracting States and persons who are habitually resident
within those States shall be entitled in matters concerned with the application
of this Convention to legal aid and advice in any other Contracting State
on the same conditions as if they themselves were nationals of and habitually
resident in that State. Each Central Authority shall bear its own costs in applying this Convention. Central Authorities and other public services of Contracting States shall not impose any charges in relation to applications submitted under this Convention. In particular, they may not require any payment from the applicant towards the costs and expenses of the proceedings or, where applicable, those arising from the participation of legal counsel or advisers. However, they may require the payment of the expenses incurred or to be incurred in implementing the return of the child. However, a Contracting State may, by making a reservation in accordance with Article 42, declare that it shall not be bound to assume any costs referred to in the preceding paragraph resulting from the participation of legal counsel or advisers or from court proceedings, except insofar as those costs may be covered by its system of legal aid and advice. n1
Upon ordering the return of a child or issuing an order concerning rights
of access under this Convention, the judicial or administrative authorities
may, where appropriate, direct the person who removed or retained the
child, or who prevented the exercise of rights of access, to pay necessary
expenses incurred by or on behalf of the applicant, including travel expenses,
any costs incurred or payments made for locating the child, the costs
of legal representation of the applicant, and those of returning the child. When it is manifest that the requirements of this Convention are not
fulfilled or that the application is otherwise not well founded, a Central
Authority is not bound to accept the application. In that case, the Central
Authority shall forthwith inform the applicant or the Central Authority
through which the application was submitted, as the case may be, of its
reasons. A Central Authority may require that the application be accompanied by
a written authorization empowering it to act on behalf of the applicant,
or to designate a representative so to act. This Convention shall not preclude any person, institution or body who
claims that there has been a breach of custody or access rights within
the meaning of Article 3 or 21 from applying directly to the judicial
or administrative authorities of a Contracting State, whether or not under
the provisions of this Convention. Any application submitted to the Central Authorities or directly to the
judicial or administrative authorities of a Contracting State in accordance
with the terms of this Convention, together with documents and any other
information appended thereto or provided by a Central Authority, shall
be admissible in the courts or administrative authorities of the Contracting
States. In relation to a State which in matters of custody of children has two or more systems of law applicable in different territorial units - a any reference to habitual residence in that State shall be construed as referring to habitual residence in a territorial unit of that State; b any reference to the law of the State of habitual residence shall be
construed as referring to the law of the territorial unit in that State
where the child habitually resides. In relation to a State which in matters of custody of children has two
or more systems of law applicable to different categories of persons,
any reference to the law of that State shall be construed as referring
to the legal system specified by the law of that State. A State within which different territorial units have their own rules
of law in respect of custody of children shall not be bound to apply this
Convention where a State with a unified system of law would not be bound
to doso. This Convention shall take priority in matters within its scope over the Convention of 5 October 1961 concerning the powers of authorities and the law applicable in respect of the protection of minors, n1 as between Parties to both Conventions. Otherwise the present Convention shall not restrict the application of an international instrument in force between the State of origin and the State addressed or other law of the State addressed for the purposes of obtaining the return of a child who has been wrongfully removed or retained or of organizing access rights.
This Convention shall apply as between Contracting States only to wrongful removals or retentions occurring after its entry into force in those States. Where a declaration has been made under Article 39 or 40, the reference
in the preceding paragraph to a Contracting State shall be taken to refer
to the territorial unit or units in relation to which this Convention
applies. Nothing in this Convention shall prevent two or more Contracting States,
in order to limit the restrictions to which the return of the child may
be subject, from agreeing among themselves to derogate from any provisions
of this Convention which may imply such a restriction. The Convention shall be open for signature by the States which were Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law at the time of its Fourteenth Session. n2
It shall be ratified, accepted or approved and the instruments of ratification,
acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Any other State may accede to the Convention. The instrument of accession shall be deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Convention shall enter into force for a State acceding to it on the first day of the third calendar month after the deposit of its instrument of accession. The accession will have effect only as regards the relations between the acceding State and such Contracting States as will have declared their acceptance of the accession. Such a declaration will also have to be made by any Member State ratifying, accepting or approving the Convention after an accession. Such declaration shall be deposited at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; this Ministry shall forward, through diplomatic channels, a certified copy to each of the Contracting States. The Convention will enter into force as between the acceding State and
the State that has declared its acceptance of the accession on the first
day of the third calendar month after the deposit of the declaration of
acceptance. Any State may, at the time of signature, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, declare that the Convention shall extend to all the territories for the international relations of which it is responsible, or to one or more of them. Such a declaration shall take effect at the time the Convention enters into force for that State. Such declaration, as well as any subsequent extension, shall be notified
to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. If a Contracting State has two or more territorial units in which different systems of law are applicable in relation to matters dealt with in this Convention, it may at the time of signature, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession declare that this Convention shall extend to all its territorial units or only to one or more of them and may modify this declaration by submitting another declaration at any time. Any such declaration shall be notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and shall state expressly the territorial
units to which the Convention applies. Where a Contracting State has a system of government under which executive,
judicial and legislative powers are distributed between central and other
authorities within that State, its signature or ratification, acceptance
or approval of, or accession to this Convention, or its making of any
declaration in terms of Article 40 shall carry no implication as to the
internal distribution of powers within that State. Any State may, not later than the time of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, or at the time of making a declaration in terms of Article 39 or 40, make one or both of the reservations provided for in Article 24 and Article 26, third paragraph. n1 No other reservation shall be permitted.
Any State may at any time withdraw a reservation it has made. The withdrawal shall be notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The reservation shall cease to have effect on the first day of the third
calendar month after the notification referred to in the preceding paragraph. The Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the third calendar month after the deposit of the third instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession referred to in Articles 37 and 38. n2
Thereafter the Convention shall enter into force - 1 for each State ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to it subsequently, on the first day of the third calendar month after the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; 2 for any territory or territorial unit to which the Convention has been
extended in conformity with Article 39 or 40, on the first day of the
third calendar month after the notification referred to in that Article. The Convention shall remain in force for five years from the date of its entry into force in accordance with the first paragraph of Article 43 even for States which subsequently have ratified, accepted, approved it or acceded to it. If there has been no denunciation, it shall be renewed tacitly every five years. Any denunciation shall be notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at least six months before the expiry of the five-year period. It may be limited to certain of the territories or territorial units to which the Convention applies. The denunciation shall have effect only as regards the State which has
notified it. The Convention shall remain in force for the other Contracting
States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands shall notify the States Members of the Conference, and the States which have acceded in accordance with Article 38, of the following - 1 the signatures and ratifications, acceptances and approvals referred to in Article 37; 2 the accessions referred to in Article 38; 3 the date on which the Convention enters into force in accordance with Article 43; 4 the extensions referred to in Article 39; 5 the declarations referred to in Articles 38 and 40; 6 the reservations referred to in Article 24 and Article 26, third paragraph, and the withdrawals referred to in Article 42; 7 the denunciations referred to in Article 44. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this Convention. DONE at The Hague, on the 25th day of October 1980 in the English and
French languages, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy
which shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the Kingdom
of the Netherlands, and of which a certified copy shall be sent, through
diplomatic channels, to each of the States Members of the Hague Conference
on Private International Law at the date of its Fourteenth Session. Les Etats signataires de la presente Convention, Profondement convaincus que l'interet de l'enfant est d'une importance primordiale pour toute question relative a sa garde, Desirant proteger l'enfant, sur le plan international, contre les effets nuisibles d'un deplacement ou d'un non-retour illicites et etablir des procedures en vue de garantir le retour immediat de l'enfant dans l'Etat de sa residence habituelle, ainsi que d'assurer la protection du droit de visite, Ont resolu de conclure une Convention a cet effet, et sont convenus des
dispositions suivantes: La presente Convention a pour objet: a d'assurer le retour immediat des enfants deplaces ou retenus illicitement dans tout Etat contractant; b de faire respecter effectivement dans les autres Etats contractants
les droits de garde et de visite existant dans un Etat contractant. Les Etats contractants prennent toutes mesures appropriees pour assurer,
dans les limites de leur territoire, la realisation des objectifs de la
Convention. A cet effet, ils doivent recourir a leurs procedures d'urgence. Le deplacement ou le non-retour d'un enfant est considere comme illicite: a lorsqu'il a lieu en violation d'un droit de garde, attribue a une personne, une institution ou tout autre organisme, seul ou conjointement, par le droit de l'Etat dans lequel l'enfant avait sa residence habituelle immediatement avant son deplacement ou son non-retour; et b que ce droit etait exerce de facon effective seul ou conjointement, au moment du deplacement ou du non-retour, ou l'eut ete si de tels evenements n'etaient survenus. Le droit de garde vise en a peut notamment resulter d'une attribution
de plein droit, d'une decision judiciaire ou administrative, ou d'un accord
en vigueur selon le droit de cet Etat. La Convention s'applique a tout enfant qui avait sa residence habituelle
dans un Etat contractant immediatement avant l'atteinte aux droits de
garde ou de visite. L'application de la Convention cesse lorsque l'enfant
parvient a l'age de 16 ans. Au sens de la presente Convention: a le 'droit de garde' comprend le droit portant sur les soins de la personne de l'enfant, et en particulier celui [*28] de decider de son lieu de residence; b le 'droit de visite' comprend le droit d'emmener l'enfant pour une
periode limitee dans un lieu autre que celui de sa residence habituelle. Chaque Etat contractant designe une Autorite centrale chargee de satisfaire aux obligations qui lui sont imposees par la Convention. Un Etat federal, un Etat dans lequel plusieurs systemes de droit sont
en vigueur ou un Etat ayant des organisations territoriales autonomes,
est libre de designer plus d'une Autorite centrale et de specifier l'etendue
territoriale des pouvoirs de chacune de ces Autorites. L'Etat qui fait
usage de cette faculte designe l'Autorite centrale a laquelle les demandes
peuvent etre adressees en vue de leur transmission a l'Autorite centrale
competente au sein de cet Etat. Les Autorites centrales doivent cooperer entre elles et promouvoir une collaboration entre les autorites competentes dans leurs Etats respectifs, pour assurer le retour immediat des enfants et realiser les autres objectifs de la presente Convention. En particulier, soit directement, soit avec le concours de tout intermediaire, elles doivent prendre toutes [*29] les mesures appropriees: a pour localiser un enfant deplace ou retenu illicitement; b pour prevenir de nouveaux dangers pour l'enfant ou des prejudices pour les parties concernees, en prenant ou faisant prendre des mesures provisoires; c pour assurer la remise volontaire de l'enfant ou faciliter une solution amiable; d pour echanger, si cela s'avere utile, des informations relatives a la situation sociale de l'enfant; e pour fournir des informations generales concernant le droit de leur Etat relatives a l'application de la Convention; f pour introduire ou favoriser l'ouverture d'une procedure judiciaire ou administrative, afin d'obtenir le retour de l'enfant et, le cas echeant, de permettre l'organisation ou l'exercice effectif du droit de visite; g pour accorder ou faciliter, le cas echeant, l'obtention de l'assistance judiciaire et juridique, y compris la participation d'un avocat; h pour assurer, sur le plan administratif, si necessaire et opportun, le retour sans danger de l'enfant; i pour se tenir mutuellement informees sur le fonctionnement de la Convention
et, autant que possible, lever les obstacles eventuellement rencontres
lors de son application. La personne, l'institution ou l'organisme qui pretend qu'un enfant a ete deplace ou retenu en violation d'un droit de garde peut saisir soit l'Autorite centrale de la residence habituelle de l'enfant, soit celle de tout autre Etat contractant, pour que celles-ci pretent leur assistance en vue d'assurer le retour de l'enfant. La demande doit contenir: a des informations portant sur l'identite du demandeur, de l'enfant et de la personne dont il est allegue qu'elle a emmene ou retenu l'enfant; b la date de naissance de l'enfant, s'il est possible de se la procurer; c les motifs sur lesquels se base le demandeur pour reclamer le retour de l'enfant; d toutes informations disponibles concernant la localisation de l'enfant et l'identite de la personne avec laquelle l'enfant est presume se trouver. La demande peut etre accompagnee ou completee par: e une copie authentifiee de toute decision ou de tout accord utiles; f une attestation ou une declaration avec affirmation emanant de l'Autorite
centrale, ou d'une autre autorite competente de l'Etat de la residence
habituelle, ou d'une personne qualifiee, concernant le droit de l'Etat
en la matiere; g tout autre document utile. Quand l'Autorite centrale qui est saisie d'une demande en vertu de l'article
8 a des raisons de penser que l'enfant se trouve dans un autre Etat contractant,
elle transmet la demande directement et sans delai a l'Autorite centrale
de cet Etat contractant et en informe l'Autorite centrale requerante ou,
le cas echeant, le demandeur. L'Autorite centrale de l'Etat ou se trouve l'enfant prendra ou fera prendre
toute mesure propre a assurer sa remise volontaire. Les autorites judiciaires ou administratives de tout Etat contractant doivent proceder d'urgence en vue du retour de l'enfant. Lorsque l'autorite judiciaire ou administrative saisie n'a pas statue
dans un delai de six semaines a partir de sa saisine, le demandeur ou
l'Autorite centrale de l'Etat requis, de sa propre initiative ou sur requete
de l'Autorite centrale de l'Etat requerant, peut demander une declaration
sur les raisons de ce retard. Si la reponse est recue par l'Autorite centrale
de l'Etat requis, cette Autorite doit la transmettre a l'Autorite centrale
de l'Etat requerant ou, le cas echeant, au demandeur. Lorsqu'un enfant a ete deplaceou retenu illicitement au sens de l'article 3 et qu'une periode de moins d'un an s'est ecoulee a partir du deplacement ou du non-retour au moment de l'introduction de la demande devant l'autorite judiciaire ou administrative de l'Etat contractant ou se trouve l'enfant, l'autorite saisie ordonne son retour immediat. L'autorite judiciaire ou administrative, meme saisie apres l'expiration de la periode d'un an prevue a l'alinea precedent, doit aussi ordonner le retour de l'enfant, a moins qu'il ne soit etabli que l'enfant s'est integre dans son nouveau milieu. Lorsque l'autorite judiciaire ou administrative de l'Etat requis a des
raisons de croire que l'enfant a ete emmene dans un autre Etat, elle peut
suspendre la procedure ou rejeter la demande de retour de l'enfant. Nonobstant les dispositions de l'article precedent, l'autorite judiciaire ou administrative de l'Etat requis n'est pas tenue d'ordonner le retour de l'enfant, lorsque la personne, l'institution ou l'organisme qui s'oppose a son retour etablit: a que la personne, l'institution ou l'organisme qui avait le soin de la personne de l'enfant n'exercait pas effectivement le droit de garde a l'epoque du deplacement ou du non-retour, ou avait consenti ou a acquiesce posterieurement a ce deplacement ou a ce non-retour; ou b qu'il existe un risque grave que le retour de l'enfant ne l'expose a un danger physique ou psychique, ou de toute autre maniere ne le place dans une situation intolerable. L'autorite judiciaire ou administrative peut aussi refuser d'ordonner le retour de l'enfant si elle constate que celui-ci s'oppose a son retour et qu'il a atteint un age et une maturite ou il se revele approprie de tenir compte de cette opinion. Dans l'appreciation des circonstances visees dans cet article, les autorites
judiciaires ou administratives doivent tenir compte des informations fournies
par l'Autorite centrale ou toute autre autorite competente de l'Etat de
la residence habituelle de l'enfant sur sa situation sociale. Pour determiner l'existence d'un deplacement ou d'un non-retour illicite
au sens de l'article 3, l'autorite judiciaire ou administrative de l'Etat
requis peut tenir compte directement du droit et des decisions judiciaires
ou administratives reconnues formellement ou non dans l'Etat de la residence
habituelle de l'enfant, sans avoir recours aux procedures specifiquessur
la preuve de ce droit ou pour la reconnaissance des decisions etrangeres
qui seraient autrement applicables. Les autorites judiciaires ou administratives d'un Etat contractant peuvent,
avant d'ordonner le retour de l'enfant, demander la production par le
demandeur d'une decision ou d'une attestation emanant des autorites de
l'Etat de la residence habituelle de l'enfant constatant que le deplacement
ou le non-retour etait illicite au sens de l'article 3 de la Convention,
dans la mesure ou cette decision ou cette attestation peut etre obtenue
dans cet Etat. Les Autorites centrales des Etats contractants assistent
dans la mesure du possible le demandeur pour obtenir une telle decision
ou attestation. Apres avoir ete informees du deplacement illicite d'un enfant ou de son
non-retour dans le cadre de l'article 3, les autorites judiciaires ou
administratives de l'Etat contractant ou l'enfant a ete deplace ou retenu
ne pourront statuer sur le fond du droit de garde jusqu'a ce qu'il soit
etabli que les conditions de la presente Convention pour un retour de
l'enfant ne sont pas reunies, ou jusqu'a ce qu'une periode raisonnable
ne se soit ecoulee sans qu'une demandeen application de la Convention
n'ait ete faite. Le seul fait qu'une decision relative a la garde ait ete rendue ou soit
susceptible d'etre reconnue dans l'Etat requis ne peut justifier le refus
de renvoyer l'enfant dans le cadre de cette Convention, mais les autorites
judiciaires ou administratives de l'Etat requis peuvent prendre en consideration
les motifs de cette decision qui rentreraient dans le cadre de l'application
de la Convention. Les dispositions de ce chapitre ne limitent pas le pouvoir de l'autorite
judiciaire ou administrative d'ordonner le retour de l'enfant a tout moment. Une decision sur le retour de l'enfant rendue dans le cadre de la Convention
n'affecte pas le fond du droit de garde. Le retour de l'enfant conformement aux dispositions de l'article 12 peut
etre refuse quand il ne serait pas permis par les principes fondamentaux
de l'Etat requis sur la sauvegarde des droits de l'homme et des libertes
fondamentales. Une demande visant l'organisation ou la protection de l'exercice effectif d'un droit de visite peut etre adressee a l'Autorite centrale d'un Etat contractant selon les memes modalites qu'une demande visant au retour de l'enfant. Les Autorites centrales sont liees par les obligations de cooperation visees a l'article 7 pour assurer l'exercice paisible du droit de visite et l'accomplissement de toute condition a laquelle l'exercice de ce droit serait soumis, et pour que soient leves, dans toute la mesure du possible, les obstacles de nature a s'y opposer. Les Autorites centrales, soit directement, soit par des intermediaires,
peuvent entamer ou favoriser une procedure legale en vue d'organiser ou
de proteger le droit de visite et les conditions auxquelles l'exercice
de ce droit pourrait etre soumis. Aucune caution ni aucun depot, sous quelque denomination que ce soit,
ne peut etre impose pour garantir le paiement des frais et depens dans
le contexte des procedures judiciaires ou administratives visees par la
Convention. Aucune legalisation ni formalite similaire ne sera requise dans le contexte
de la Convention. Toute demande, communication ou autre document sont envoyes dans leur langue originale a l'Autorite centrale de l'Etat requis et accompagnes d'une traduction dans la langue officielle ou l'une des langues officielles de cet Etat ou, lorsque cette traduction est difficilement realisable, d'une traduction en francais ou en anglais. Toutefois, un Etat contractant pourra, en faisant la reserve prevue a
l'article 42, s'opposer a l'utilisation soit du francais, soit de l'anglais,
dans toute demande, communication ou autre document adresses a son Autorite
centrale. Les ressortissants d'un Etat contractant et les personnes qui resident
habituellement dans cet Etat auront droit, pour tout ce qui concerne l'application
de la Convention, a l'assistance judiciaire et juridique dans tout autre
Etat contractant, dans les memes conditions que s'ils etaient eux-memes
ressortissants de cet autre Etat et y residaient habituellement. Chaque Autorite centrale supportera ses propres frais en appliquant la Convention. L'Autorite centrale et les autres services publics des Etats contractants n'imposeront aucun frais en relation avec les demandes introduites en application de la Convention. Notamment, ils ne peuvent reclamer du demandeur le paiement des frais et depens du proces ou, eventuellement, des frais entraines par la participation d'un avocat. Cependant, ils peuvent demander le paiement des depenses causees ou qui seraient causees par les operations liees au retour de l'enfant. Toutefois, un Etat contractant pourra, en faisant la reserve prevue a l'article 42, declarer qu'il n'est tenu au paiement des frais vises a l'alinea precedent, lies a la participation d'un avocat ou d'un conseiller juridique, ou aux frais de justice, que dans la mesure ou ces couts peuvent etre couverts par son systeme d'assistance judiciaire et juridique. En ordonnant le retour de l'enfant ou en statuant sur le droit de visite
dans le cadre de la Convention, l'autorite judiciaire ou administrative
peut, le cas echeant, mettre a la charge de la personne qui a deplace
ou qui a retenu l'enfant, ou qui a empeche l'exercice du droit de visite,
le paiement de tous frais necessaires engages par le demandeur ou en son
nom, notamment des frais de voyage, des frais de representation judiciaire
du demandeur et de retour de l'enfant, ainsi que de tous les couts et
depenses faits pour localiser l'enfant. Lorsqu'il est manifeste que les conditions requises par la Convention
ne sont pas remplies ou que la demande n'est pas fondee, une Autorite
centrale n'est pas tenue d'accepter une telle demande. En ce cas, elle
informe immediatement de ses motifs le demandeur ou, le cas echeant, l'Autorite
centrale qui lui a transmis la demande. Une Autorite centrale peut exiger que la demande soit accompagnee d'une
autorisation par ecrit lui donnant le pouvoir d'agir pour le compte du
demandeur, ou de designer un representant habilite a agir en son nom. La Convention ne fait pas obstacle a la faculte pour la personne, l'institution
ou l'organisme qui pretend qu'il y a eu une violation du droit de garde
ou de visite au sens des articles 3 ou 21 de s'adresser directement aux
autorites judiciaires ou administratives des Etats contractants, par application
ou non des dispositions de la Convention. Toute demande, soumise a l'Autorite centrale ou directement aux autorites
judiciaires ou administratives d'un Etat contractant par application de
la Convention, ainsi que tout document ou information qui y serait annexe
ou fourni par une Autorite centrale, seront recevables devant les tribunaux
ou les autorites administratives des Etats contractants. Au regard d'un Etat qui connait en matiere de garde des enfants deux ou plusieurs systemes de droit applicables dans des unites territoriales differentes: a toute reference a la residence habituelle dans cet Etat vise la residence habituelle dans une unite territoriale de cet Etat; b toute reference a la loi de l'Etat de la residence habituelle vise
la loi de l'unite territoriale dans laquelle l'enfant a sa residence habituelle. Au regard d'un Etat connaissant en matiere de garde des enfants deux
ou plusieurs systemes de droit applicables a des categories differentes
de personnes, toute reference a la loi de cet Etat vise le systeme de
droit designe par le droit de celui-ci. Un Etat dans lequel differentes unites territoriales ont leurs propres
regles de droit en matiere de garde des enfants ne sera pas tenu d'appliquer
la Convention lorsqu'un Etat dont le systeme de droit est unifie ne serait
pas tenu de l'appliquer. Dans les matieres auxquelles elle s'applique, la Convention prevaut sur
la Convention du 5 octobre 1961 concernant la competence des autorites
et la loi applicable en matiere de protection des mineurs, entre les Etats
Parties aux deux Conventions. Par ailleurs, la presente Convention n'empeche
pas qu'un autre instrument international liant l'Etat d'origine et l'Etat
requis, ni que le droit non conventionnel de l'Etat requis, ne soient
invoques pour obtenir le retour d'un enfant qui a ete deplace ou retenu
illicitement ou pour organiser le droit de visite. La Convention ne s'applique entre les Etats contractants qu'aux enlevements ou aux non-retours illicites qui se sont produits apres son entree en vigueur dans ces Etats. Si une declaration a ete faite conformement aux articles 39 ou 40, la
reference a un Etat contractant faite a l'alinea precedent signifie l'unite
ou les unites territoriales auxquelles la Convention s'applique. Rien dans la Convention n'empeche deux ou plusieurs Etats contractants,
afin de limiter les restrictions auxquelles le retour de l'enfant peut
etre soumis, de convenir entre eux de deroger a celles de ses dispositions
qui peuvent impliquer de telles restrictions. La Convention est ouverte a la signature des Etats qui etaient Membres de la Conference de La Haye de droit international prive lors de sa Quatorzieme session. Elle sera ratifiee, acceptee ou approuvee et les instruments de ratification,
d'acceptation ou d'approbation seront deposes aupres du Ministere des
Affaires Etrangeres du Royaume des Pays-Bas. Tout autre Etat pourra adherer a la Convention. L'instrument d'adhesion sera depose aupres du Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres du Royaume des Pays-Bas. La Convention entrera en vigueur, pour l'Etat adherant, le premier jour du troisieme mois du calendrier apres le depot de son instrument d'adhesion. L'adhesion n'aura d'effet que dans les rapports entre l'Etat adherant et les Etats contractants qui auront declare accepter cette adhesion. Une telle declaration devra egalement etre faite par tout Etat membre ratifiant, acceptant ou approuvant la Convention ulterieurement a l'adhesion. Cette declaration sera deposee aupres du Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres du Royaume des Pays-Bas; celui-ci en enverra, par la voie diplomatique, une copie certifiee conforme, a chacun des Etats contractants. La Convention entrera en vigueur entre l'Etat adherant et l'Etat ayant
declare accepter cette adhesion le premier jour du troisieme mois du calendrier
apres le depot de la declaration d'acceptation. Tout Etat, au moment de la signature, de la ratification, de l'acceptation, de l'approbation ou de l'adhesion, pourra declarer que la Conventions' etendra a l'ensemble des territoires qu'il represente sur le plan international ou a l'un ou plusieurs d'entre eux. Cette declaration aura effet au moment ou elle entre en vigueur pour cet Etat. Cette declaration, ainsi que toute extension ulterieure, seront notifiees
au Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres du Royaume des Pays-Bas. Un Etat contractant qui comprend deux ou plusieurs unites territoriales dans lesquelles des systemes de droit differents s'appliquent aux matieres regies par cette Convention pourra, au moment de la signature, de la ratification, de l'acceptation, de l'approbation ou de l'adhesion, declarer que la presente Convention s'appliquera a toutes ses unites territoriales ou seulement a l'une ou a plusieurs d'entre elles, et pourra a tout moment modifier cette declaration en faisant une nouvelle declaration. Ces declarations seront notifiees au Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres
du Royaume des Pays-Bas et indiqueront expressement les unites territoriales
auxquelles la Convention s'applique. Lorsqu'un Etat contractant a un systeme de gouvernement en vertu duquel
les pouvoirs executif, judiciaire et legislatif sont partages entre des
Autorites centrales et d'autres autorites de cet Etat, la signature, la
ratification, l'acceptation ou l'approbation de la Convention, ou l'adhesion
a celle-ci, ou une declaration faite en vertu de l'article 40, n'emportera
aucune consequence quant au partage interne des pouvoirs dans cet Etat. Tout Etat contractant pourra, au plus tard au moment de la ratification, de l'acceptation, de l'approbation ou de l'adhesion, ou au moment d'une declaration faite en vertu des articles 39 ou 40, faire soit l'une, soit les deux reserves prevues aux articles 24 et 26, alinea 3. Aucune autre reserve ne sera admise. Tout Etat pourra, a tout moment, retirer une reserve qu'il aura faite. Ce retrait sera notifie au Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres du Royaume des Pays-Bas. L'effet de la reserve cessera le premier jour du troisieme mois du calendrier
apres la notification mentionnee a l'alinea precedent. La Convention entrera en vigueur le premier jour du troisieme mois du calendrier apres le depot du troisieme instrument de ratification, [*45] d'acceptation, d'approbation ou d'adhesion prevu par les articles 37 et 38. Ensuite, la Convention entrera en vigueur: 1 pour chaque Etat ratifiant, acceptant, approuvant ou adherant posterieurement le premier jour du troisieme mois du calendrier apres le depot de son instrument de ratification, d'acceptation, d'approbation ou d'adhesion; 2 pour les territoires ou les unites territoriales auxquels la Convention
a ete etendue conformement a l'article 39 ou 40, le premier jour du troisieme
mois du calendrier apres la notification visee dans ces articles. La Convention aura une duree de cinq ans a partir de la date de son entree en vigueur conformement a l'article 43, alinea premier, meme pour les Etats qui l'auront posterieurement ratifiee, acceptee ou approuvee ou qui y auront adhere. La Convention sera renouvelee tacitement de cinq ans en cinq ans, sauf denonciation. La denonciation sera notifiee, au moins six mois avant l'expiration du delai de cinq ans, au Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres du Royaume des Pays-Bas. Elle pourra se limiter a certains territoires ou unites territoriales auxquels s'applique la Convention. La denonciation n'aura d'effet qu'a l'egard [*46] de l'Etat qui l'aura
notifiee. La Convention restera en vigueur pour les autres Etats contractants. Le Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres du Royaume des Pays-Bas notifiera aux Etats Membres de la Conference, ainsi qu'aux Etats qui auront adhere conformement aux dispositions de l'article 38: 1 les signatures, ratifications, acceptations et approbations visees a l'article 37; 2 les adhesions visees a l'article 38; 3 la date a laquelle la Convention entrera en vigueur conformement aux dispositions de l'article 43; 4 les extensions visees a l'article 39; 5 les declarations mentionnees aux articles 38 et 40; 6 les reserves prevues aux articles 24 et 26, alinea 3, et le retrait des reserves prevu a l'article 42; 7 les denonciations visees a l'article 44. EN FOI DE QUOI, les soussignes, dument autorises, ont signe la presente Convention. FAIT a La Haye, le 25 octobre 1980, en francais et en anglais, les deux textes faisant egalement foi, en un seul exemplaire, qui sera depose dans les archives du Gouvernement du Royaume des Pays-Bas et dont une copie certifiee conforme sera remise, par la voie diplomatique, a chacun des Etats Membres de la Conference de La Haye [*47] de droit international prive lors de sa Quatorzieme session. Copie certifiee conforme a l 'original Certified true copy of the original Le Directeur des Traites du Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres du Royaume des Pays-Bas: The Director of Treaties of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands: [Signature] SIGNATORIES: Secretary of State: George P. Shultz |