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The Child Abduction and Custody (Parties to Convention) (Amendment) Order 2011 (the Amendment Order) made by the Chief Executive under Section 4 of the Child Abduction and Custody Ordinance has been published in the Gazette today (November 4).
The Amendment Order adds the Republic of Singapore to the list of Contracting States in the Child Abduction and Custody (Parties to Convention) Order (Chapter 512A), so as to implement the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the Convention) between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Singapore. The Central People's Government accepted the accession of Singapore to the Convention on behalf of the HKSAR in March 2011.
A spokesman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau said that the Convention provides an effective international mechanism for the swift return of children wrongfully removed from their place of habitual residence to another Contracting State in violation of custodial rights. The Convention is now in force in 86 states.
In accordance with the requirements of the Convention, the Amendment Order has been in effect since June 1, 2011.
Ends/Friday, November 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:30
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