The Hague Convention of 1993 on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption
Intercountry Adoptions are governed by the Convention for the Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption (Ratification) Law of 1994. This Law regulates Intercountry adoptions between Cyprus and the other countries which have ratified the Convention.
- The Convention on the Protection of Children and for Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption (full text).
- Information on the contracting countries regarding the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption of 1993.
The Hague Convention of 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Abduction of Children
If there is suspicion of parental abduction of a minor, the first step that the affected parent should take is to report the incident to the police and then the appropriate mechanisms will be activated both in Cyprus and abroad.
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International abduction of children is very important when parental child abductions occur to and from countries, signatories to the Convention, and in which a specific process is activated to identify and return the child to his or her place of habitual residence.
In the case of countries which are not signatories to the Hague Convention, there is limited possibility for diplomatic actions on the part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, it must be noted that in both cases any actions depend on both the good will and the ability of state institutions in the countries where the parent suspected for the abduction has resorted with the abducted child.
The Social Welfare Services have the responsibility to inform the applicant parent on their rights, namely the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, as well as on the procedure which will be activated through the Ministry of Justice and Public Order for member states which are Signatories to the Convention, and the possibilities for action by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for countries who are not signatories to the Convention.
The Social Welfare Services have the responsibility to forward the request to the International Social Service in order to inspect the living conditions of the abducted child in the foreign country, if there is access to such country. A necessary prerequisite for this action is to have contact details and the precise address to the Social Welfare Services.
Where it is deemed necessary and the reporting person wishes so, such person may be referred to the Mental Health Services for psychological support.
· The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction in English (full text).
· Information on the contracting countries regarding the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
The Hague Convention on International Adult Protection
The Republic of Cyprus signed the Hague Convention on April 1, 2009 (following Decision No. 67.883 of the Council of Ministers dated 29/10/2008) and ratified it on the 25th of June 2018.
The Social Welfare Services have been designated as the central authority for implementing the Convention in the Republic of Cyprus, which provides protection in international situations of adults who, by reason of an impairment or insufficiency of their personal faculties, are not in a position to protect their interests.