Custody

International Custody - Hague Convention Signatory Nations

Last update: 23 January 2001

SIGNATORY NATIONS

HAGUE CONVENTION OF 25 OCTOBER 1980 ON THE CIVIL ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION

(entry into force on 1 December 1983)

The Convention applies in the following States or territories as a result of ratification, acceptance or approval:	*Entry into force (EIF):*
ARGENTINA	1 June 1991
AUSTRALIA (only for the Australian States and mainland Territories)	1 January 1987
AUSTRIA	1 October 1988
BELGIUM	1 May 1999
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA	1 December 1991
CANADA	1 December 1983
CHINA, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION only	1 September 1997
CHINA, MACAU SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION only	1 March 1999
CROATIA	1 December 1991
CZECH REPUBLIC	1 March 1998
DENMARK (except the Faroe Islands and Greenland)	1 July 1991
FINLAND	1 August 1994
FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA	1 December 1991
FRANCE (for the whole of the territory of the French Republic)	1 December 1983
GERMANY	1 December 1990
GREECE	1 June 1993
IRELAND	1 October 1991
ISRAEL	1 December 1991
ITALY	1 May 1995
LUXEMBOURG	1 January 1987
NETHERLANDS (for the Kingdom in Europe)	1 September 1990
NORWAY	1 April 1989
PORTUGAL	1 December 1983
SLOVAKIA	1 February 2001
SPAIN	1 September 1987
SWEDEN	1 June 1989
SWITZERLAND	1 January 1984
TURKEY	1 August 2000
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND	1 August 1986
Isle of Man	1 September 1991
Cayman Islands	1 August 1998
Falkland Islands	1 June 1998
Montserrat	1 March 1999
Bermuda	1 March 1999
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA	1 July 1988
VENEZUELA	1 January 1997

The Convention applies in the following States or territories as a result of accession:

BAHAMAS 1 January 1994

The Convention is in force between the Bahamas and the following States: United States of America (EIF: 1 January 1994); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 February 1994); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 March 1994); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 March 1994)*; Germany (EIF: 1 May 1994); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Australia (EIF: 1 September 1994); Switzerland (EIF: 1 October 1994); Ireland (EIF: 1 December 1994); Sweden (EIF: 1 January 1995); Spain (EIF: 1 March 1995); Argentina (EIF: 1 May 1995); Canada (EIF: 1 August 1995); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Israel (EIF: 1 January 1996); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); France (EIF: 1 September 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997);Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Norway (EIF: 1 October 1998).

* The United Kingdom made the following declaration with regard to the accession of the Bahamas to the Convention: "Notwithstanding the provisions of the said Article 38 regarding entry into force of the Convention as between the acceding State and the State declaring its acceptance of the accession, amendments will have been made to the United Kingdom municipal law in order to give effect to the Convention between it and the Bahamas as of 1 January 1994 when the Convention enters into force for the Bahamas." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has not yet received any communication from the Government of the Bahamas concerning the date of entry into force proposed by the United Kingdom.

BELARUS 1 April 1998

The Convention is in force between Belarus and the following States: Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 May 1998); Israel (EIF: 1 June 1998); Finland (EIF: 1 July 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Australia (EIF: 1 November 1998); Argentina (EIF: 1 November 1998); Germany (EIF: 1 February 1999); Moldova (EIF: 1 February 1999); Paraguay (EIF: 1 February 1999); Chile (EIF: 1 June 1999); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 June 1999); Spain (EIF: 1 October 1999); Georgia (EIF: 1 January 2000); Greece (EIF: 1 March 2000). The Convention will enter into force between Belarus and the following States: Switzerland (EIF: 1 February 2001); Poland (EIF: 1 February 2001).

BELIZE 1 September 1989

The Convention is in force between Belize and the following States: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 October 1989); United States of America (EIF: 1 November 1989); Australia (EIF: 1 March 1990); Portugal (EIF: 1 May 1990); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 September 1990); Germany (EIF: 1 December 1990); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 January 1991); Sweden (EIF: 1 April 1991); Canada (EIF: 1 September 1991); Ireland (EIF: 1 October 1991); France (EIF: 1 January 1992); Israel (EIF: 1 February 1992); Spain (EIF: 1 July 1992); Switzerland (EIF: 1 September 1992); Norway (EIF: 1 October 1992); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Argentina (EIF: 1 December 1996); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997);Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998).

BRAZIL 1 January 2000

The Convention is in force between Brazil and the following States: Argentina (EIF: 1 April 2000); Luxembourg (EIF:1 April 2000); Israel (EIF:1 April 2000); Chile (EIF: 1 April 2000); Poland (EIF: 1 May 2000); Panama (EIF: 1 July 2000); Finland (EIF: 1 September 2000); Colombia (EIF: 1 September 2000).

BURKINA FASO 1 August 1992

The Convention is in force between Burkina Faso and the following States: Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 September 1992); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 November 1992); United States of America (EIF: 1 November 1992); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 November 1992); France (EIF: 1 January 1993); Germany (EIF: 1 January 1993); Ireland (EIF: 1 April 1993); Australia (EIF: 1 April 1993); Argentina (EIF: 1 August 1993); Canada (EIF: 1 October 1993); Israel (EIF: 1 November 1993); Sweden (EIF: 1 December 1993); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Switzerland (EIF: 1 October 1994); Spain (EIF: 1 December 1994); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997);Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Norway (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998).

CHILE * 1 May 1994

The Convention is in force between Chile and the following States: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 July 1994)**; United States of America (EIF: 1 July 1994); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 July 1994); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 August 1994); Switzerland (EIF: 1 October 1994); Australia (EIF: 1 November 1994); Ireland (EIF: 1 December 1994); Sweden (EIF: 1 January 1995); Panama (EIF: 1 March 1995); Argentina (EIF: 1 May 1995); Germany (EIF: 1 June 1995); Canada (EIF: 1 August 1995); Spain (EIF: 1 September 1995); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Israel (EIF: 1 January 1996); France (EIF: 1 February 1996); Cyprus (EIF: 1 May 1996); Saint Kitts and Nevis (EIF: 1 May 1996); Slovenia (EIF: 1 May 1996); Zimbabwe (EIF: 1 May 1996); Italy (EIF: 1 August 1996); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Colombia (EIF: 1 June 1997); Iceland (EIF: 1 June 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Norway (EIF: 1 October 1998); South Africa (EIF: 1 June 1999); Georgia (EIF: 1 June 1999); Turkmenistan (EIF: 1 June 1999); Belarus (EIF: 1 June 1999); Moldova (EIF: 1 June 1999); Paraguay (EIF: 1 June 1999); Costa Rica (EIF: 1 June 1999); Brazil (EIF: 1 April 2000); Malta (EIF: 1 April 2000); Uruguay (EIF: 1 May 2000).

* The instrument of accession from Chile contained the following declaration (in Spanish): "Chile understands Article 3 of the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction in the sense that it is not inconsistent with the national legislation which provides that the right to guardianship and custody is exercised until the age of 18." (Translation)

** The United Kingdom made the following declaration with regard to the accession of Chile to the Convention: "Notwithstanding the provisions of the said Article 38 regarding entry into force of the Convention as between the acceding State and the State declaring its acceptance of the accession, amendments will have been made to the United Kingdom municipal law in order to give effect to the Convention between it and Chile as of 1 May 1994 when the Convention enters into force for Chile." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has not yet received any communication from the Government of Chile concerning the date of entry into force proposed by the United Kingdom.

COLOMBIA 1 March 1996

The Convention is in force between Colombia and the following States: Luxembourg (EIF: 1 April 1996); Panama (EIF: 1 May 1996); Israel (EIF: 1 June 1996); United States of America (EIF: 1 June 1996); Cyprus (EIF: 1 August 1996); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 September 1996); Germany (EIF: 1 November 1996); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 December 1996);* Argentina (EIF: 1 December 1996); Ireland (EIF: 1 January 1997); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Switzerland (EIF: 1 May 1997); Finland (EIF: 1 May 1997); Chile (EIF: 1 June 1997); Norway (EIF: 1 June 1997); Spain (EIF: 1 June 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Australia (EIF: 1 December 1997); Canada (EIF: 1 December 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); New Zealand (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Brazil (EIF: 1 September 2000); Malta (EIF: 1 September 2000); Uruguay (EIF: 1 September 2000); Italy (EIF: 1 September 2000).

* The Note of the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland contains the following declaration:
"Notwithstanding the provisions of the said Article 38 regarding entry into force of the Convention as between the acceding State and the State that has declared its acceptance of the accession, the municipal law of the United Kingdom was amended with effect from 1 March 1996 to give effect to the provisions of the Convention between it and Colombia from the date when the Convention enters into force for Colombia. I should be grateful for confirmation of the date of 1 March 1996 as the date on which the Convention entered into force between the United Kingdom and Colombia."

COSTA RICA 1 February 1999

The Convention is in force between Costa Rica and the following States: Israel (EIF: 1 April 1999); Ireland (EIF: 1 June 1999); Chile (EIF: 1 June 1999); Finland (EIF: 1 July 1999); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 September 1999); Greece (EIF: 1 March 2000); Argentina (EIF: 1 April 2000); Australia (EIF: 1 May 2000). The Convention will enter into force between Costa Rica and the following States: Poland (EIF: 1 February 2001); Switzerland (EIF: 1 February 2001).

CYPRUS 1 February 1995

The Convention is in force between Cyprus and the following States: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 February 1995); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 March 1995); United States of America (EIF: 1 March 1995); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 April 1995);Germany (EIF: 1 May 1995); Panama (EIF: 1 June 1995); Sweden (EIF: 1 October 1995); France (EIF: 1 October 1995); Australia (EIF: 1 November 1995); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Israel (EIF: 1 January 1996); Chile (EIF: 1 May 1996); Colombia (EIF: 1 August 1996); Greece (EIF: 1 August 1996); Zimbabwe (EIF: 1 August 1996); Argentina (EIF: 1 December 1996); Ireland (EIF: 1 January 1997); Norway (EIF: 1 January 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 January 1997); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Switzerland (EIF: 1 May 1997); Finland (EIF: 1 May 1997); Spain (EIF: 1 June 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Denmark (EIF: 1 October 1997); Canada (EIF: 1 January 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998).

ECUADOR 1 April 1992

The Convention is in force between Ecuador and the following States: United States of America (EIF: 1 April 1992); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 May 1992); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 June 1992); Israel (EIF: 1 June 1992); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 June 1992); Spain (EIF: 1 July 1992); Germany (EIF: 1 September 1992); Argentina (EIF: 1 September 1992); Switzerland (EIF: 1 September 1992); Ireland (EIF: 1 April 1993); Australia (EIF: 1 April 1993); Canada (EIF: 1 December 1993); Sweden (EIF: 1 December 1993); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Panama (EIF: 1 May 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Norway (EIF: 1 October 1998).

FIJI 1 June 1999

The Convention is in force between the Republic of Fiji and the following States: Finland (EIF: 1 September 1999); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 September 1999); Israel (EIF: 1 October 1999); Italy (EIF:1 November 1999); New Zealand (EIF: 1 February 2000); Argentina (EIF: 1 April 2000); Australia (EIF: 1 May 2000).

GEORGIA 1 October 1997

The Convention is in force between Georgia and the following States: Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 November 1997); Israel (EIF: 1 December 1997); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland* (EIF: 1 December 1997); Finland (EIF: 1 December 1997); Ireland (EIF: 1 December 1997); Australia (EIF: 1 January 1998); Germany (EIF: 1 March 1998); New Zealand (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Argentina (EIF: 1 November 1998); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region only (EIF: 1 December 1998); Spain (EIF: 1 March 1999); Chile (EIF: 1 June 1999); Canada (EIF: 1 November 1999); Turkmenistan (EIF: 1 January 2000); Belarus (EIF: 1 January 2000); Greece (EIF: 1 March 2000).

* The United Kingdom made the following declaration with regard to the accession of Georgia to the Convention:
"...notwithstanding the provisions of the said Article, the United Kingdom accepts the accession of ... Georgia with effect from 1 October 1997."

HONDURAS 1 March 1994

The Convention is in force between Honduras and the following States: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland* (EIF: 1 May 1994); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 May 1994); United States of America (EIF: 1 June 1994); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 June 1994); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Germany (EIF: 1 August 1994); Australia (EIF: 1 September 1994); Switzerland (EIF: 1 October 1994); Ireland (EIF: 1 December 1994); Sweden (EIF: 1 January 1995); Canada (EIF: 1 August 1995); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Israel (EIF: 1 January 1996); Argentina (EIF: 1 December 1996); Norway (EIF: 1 January 1997); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Spain (EIF: 1 June 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998).

* The United Kingdom made the following declaration with regard to the accession of Honduras to the Convention: "Notwithstanding the provisions of the said Article 38 regarding entry into force of the Convention as between the acceding State and the State declaring its acceptance of the accession, amendments will have been made to the United Kingdom municipal law in order to give effect to the Convention between it and Honduras as of 1 March 1994 when the Convention enters into force for Honduras." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has not yet received any communication from the Government of Honduras concerning the date of entry into force proposed by the United Kingdom.

HUNGARY 1 July 1986

The Convention is in force between Hungary and the following States: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 September 1986); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 January 1987); France (EIF: 1 February 1987); Australia (EIF: 1 March 1988); Canada (EIF: 1 April 1988); United States of America (EIF: 1 July 1988); Sweden (EIF: 1 July 1990); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 September 1990); Austria (EIF: 1 November 1990); Germany (EIF: 1 December 1990); Norway (EIF: 1 February 1991); Ireland (EIF: 1 October 1991); Israel (EIF: 1 February 1992); Denmark (EIF: 1 March 1992); Spain (EIF: 1 July 1992); Portugal (EIF: 1 August 1992); Switzerland (EIF: 1 September 1992); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Argentina (EIF: 1 December 1996); Chile (EIF: 1 April 1997); Colombia (EIF: 1 April 1997); Cyprus (EIF: 1 April 1997); Ecuador (EIF: 1 April 1997); Honduras (EIF: 1 April 1997); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Mexico (EIF: 1 April 1997); Monaco (EIF: 1 April 1997); New Zealand (EIF: 1 April 1997); Panama (EIF: 1 April 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 April 1997); Romania (EIF: 1 April 1997); Slovenia (EIF: 1 April 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998).

ICELAND 1 November 1996

The Convention is in force between Iceland and the following States: United States of America (EIF: 1 December 1996); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 December 1996); Argentina (EIF: 1 December 1996); Ireland *(EIF: 1 January 1997); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 January 1997); Norway (EIF: 1 January 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 January 1997); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 January 1997); Israel (EIF: 1 February 1997); Denmark (EIF: 1 March 1997); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Germany (EIF: 1 April 1997); Switzerland (EIF: 1 May 1997); Sweden (EIF: 1 May 1997); Finland (EIF: 1 May 1997); Chile (EIF: 1 June 1997); Bosnia and Herzegovina (EIF: 1 August 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Australia (EIF: 1 December 1997); Canada (EIF: 1 December 1997); New Zealand (EIF: 1 March 1998); Spain (EIF: 1 April 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998).

* The letter of the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland contains the following declaration:
"Notwithstanding the provisions of the said Article 38 regarding entry into force of the Convention as between the acceding State and the State that has declared its acceptance of the accession, the municipal law of the United Kingdom was amended with effect from 1 November 1996 to give effect to the provisions of the Convention between it and Iceland from the date when the Convention enters into force for Iceland. I should be grateful for confirmation of the date of 1 November 1996 as the date on which the Convention entered into force between the United Kingdom and Iceland."

MALTA 1 January 2000

The Convention is in force between Malta and the following States: Argentina (EIF: 1 April 2000); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 April 2000); Israel (EIF:1 April 2000); Chile (EIF: 1 April 2000); Poland (EIF: 1 June 2000); Finland (EIF: 1 September 2000); Colombia (EIF: 1 September 2000). The Convention will enter into force between Malta and Switzerland on 1 February 2001.

MAURITIUS 1 June 1993

The Convention is in force between Mauritius and the following States: Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 August 1993); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 September 1993); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 September 1993); United States of America (EIF: 1 October 1993); Germany (EIF: 1 December 1993); Sweden (EIF: 1 December 1993); Israel (EIF: 1 December 1993); Australia (EIF: 1 January 1994); Argentina (EIF: 1 February 1994); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Switzerland (EIF: 1 October 1994); Ireland (EIF: 1 December 1994); Spain (EIF: 1 December 1994); France (EIF: 1 July 1995); Canada (EIF: 1 August 1995); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Norway (EIF: 1 January 1997); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998).

MEXICO 1 September 1991

The Convention is in force between Mexico and the following States: Ireland (EIF: 1 October 1991); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 October 1991); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 October 1991); United States of America (EIF: 1 October 1991); Argentina (EIF: 1 October 1991); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 November 1991); New Zealand (EIF: 1 December 1991); France (EIF: 1 January 1992); Germany (EIF: 1 February 1992); Israel (EIF: 1 February 1992); Norway (EIF: 1 March 1992); Australia (EIF: 1 June 1992); Canada (EIF: 1 July 1992); Spain (EIF: 1 July 1992); Portugal (EIF: 1 August 1992); Sweden (EIF: 1 August 1992); Switzerland (EIF: 1 September 1992); Denmark (EIF: 1 December 1992); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Austria (EIF: 1 November 1994); Bahamas (EIF: 1 December 1995); Burkina Faso (EIF: 1 December 1995); Chile (EIF: 1 December 1995); Cyprus (EIF: 1 December 1995); Ecuador (EIF: 1 December 1995); Honduras (EIF: 1 December 1995); Monaco (EIF: 1 December 1995); Panama (EIF: 1 December 1995); Poland (EIF: 1 December 1995); Romania (EIF: 1 December 1995); Saint Kitts and Nevis (EIF: 1 December 1995); Slovenia (EIF: 1 December 1995); Zimbabwe (EIF: 1 December 1995); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998).

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA 1 July 1998

The Convention is in force between the Republic of Moldova and the following States: Luxembourg (EIF: 1 September 1998); Israel (EIF: 1 September 1998); Poland (EIF:1 September 1998); Finland (EIF:1 October 1998); Italy (EIF: 1 November 1998); Australia (EIF: 1 November 1998); Argentina (EIF: 1 November 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 December 1998); Belarus (EIF: 1 February 1999); Ireland (EIF: 1 February 1999); Chile (EIF: 1 June 1999); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 June 1999); Spain (1 February 2000); Greece (EIF: 1 March 2000); Germany (EIF: 1 May 2000).

MONACO 1 February 1993

The Convention is in force between Monaco and the following States: France (EIF: 1 March 1993); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 March 1993); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 April 1993); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 April 1993); Ireland (EIF: 1 April 1993); United States of America (EIF: 1 June 1993); Germany (EIF: 1 July 1993); Argentina (EIF: 1 August 1993); Israel (EIF: 1 November 1993); Sweden (EIF: 1 December 1993); Australia (EIF: 1 January 1994); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Switzerland (EIF: 1 October 1994); Austria (EIF: 1 November 1994); Spain (EIF: 1 December 1994); Denmark (EIF: 1 May 1995); Canada (EIF: 1 June 1995); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Norway (EIF: 1 January 1997); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998).

NEW ZEALAND 1 August 1991

The Convention is in force between New Zealand and the following States: Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 September 1991); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 October 1991); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 October 1991); Ireland (EIF: 1 October 1991); United States of America (EIF: 1 October 1991); Denmark (EIF: 1 October 1991); Argentina (EIF: 1 October 1991); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1991); France (EIF: 1 January 1992); Germany (EIF: 1 February 1992); Israel (EIF: 1 February 1992); Australia (EIF: 1 June 1992); Canada (EIF: 1 July 1992); Spain (EIF: 1 July 1992); Portugal (EIF: 1 August 1992); Sweden (EIF: 1 August 1992); Switzerland (EIF: 1 September 1992); Norway (EIF: 1 October 1992); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Austria (EIF: 1 November 1994); Bahamas (EIF: 1 November 1995); Burkina Faso (EIF: 1 November 1995); Chile (EIF: 1 November 1995); Cyprus (EIF: 1 November 1995); Ecuador (EIF: 1 November 1995); Honduras (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mauritius (EIF: 1 November 1995); Monaco (EIF: 1 November 1995); Panama (EIF: 1 November 1995); Poland (EIF: 1 November 1995); Romania (EIF: 1 November 1995); Slovenia (EIF: 1 November 1995); Zimbabwe (EIF: 1 November 1995); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Georgia (EIF: 1 March 1998); Colombia (EIF: 1 March 1998); Iceland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Saint Kitts and Nevis (EIF: 1 March 1998); South Africa (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Republic of Fiji (EIF: 1 February 2000).

NICARAGUA

The Convention will enter into force for Nicaragua on 1 March 2001.

PANAMA 1 May 1994

The Convention is in force between Panama and the following States: United States of America (EIF: 1 June 1994); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 June 1994); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 June 1994); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland *(EIF: 1 July 1994); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Australia (EIF: 1 September 1994); Switzerland (EIF: 1 October 1994); Ireland (EIF: 1 December 1994); Sweden (EIF: 1 January 1995); Chile (EIF: 1 March 1995); Argentina (EIF: 1 May 1995); Germany (EIF: 1 June 1995); Cyprus (EIF: 1 June 1995); Saint Kitts and Nevis (EIF: 1 June 1995); Slovenia (EIF: 1 June 1995); Canada (EIF: 1 August 1995); Spain (EIF: 1 September 1995); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Israel (EIF: 1 January 1996); Colombia (EIF: 1 May 1996); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Ecuador (EIF: 1 May 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Norway (EIF: 1 November 1999); Brazil (EIF: 1 July 2000).

* The United Kingdom made the following declaration with regard to the accession of Panama to the Convention: "Notwithstanding the provisions of the said Article 38 regarding entry into force of the Convention as between the acceding State and the State declaring its acceptance of the accession, amendments will have been made to the United Kingdom municipal law in order to give effect to the Convention between it and Panama as of 1 May 1994 when the Convention enters into force for Panama. I would be grateful for confirmation of the date of 1 May 1994 as the date on which the Convention will enter into force between the United Kingdom and Panama." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has not yet received a reply from the Government of Panama concerning the date of entry into force proposed by the United Kingdom.

PARAGUAY 1 August 1998

The Convention is in force between Paraguay and the following States: Israel (EIF: 1 October 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 October 1998); Argentina (EIF: 1 November 1998); Poland (EIF: 1 December 1998); Belarus (EIF: 1 February 1999); Ireland (EIF: 1 February 1999); Finland (EIF: 1 March 1999); Australia (EIF: 1 April 1999); Chile (EIF: 1 June 1999); Spain (EIF: 1 February 2000); Greece (EIF: 1 March 2000).

POLAND 1 November 1992

The Convention is in force between Poland and the following States: Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 November 1992); United States of America (EIF: 1 November 1992); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 January 1993); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 February 1993); France (EIF: 1 February 1993); Germany (EIF: 1 February 1993); Ireland (EIF: 1 April 1993); Norway (EIF: 1 July 1993); Israel (EIF: 1 November 1993); Sweden (EIF: 1 December 1993); Australia (EIF: 1 January 1994); Argentina (EIF: 1 February 1994); Canada (EIF: 1 February 1994); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Switzerland (EIF: 1 October 1994); Austria (EIF: 1 November 1994); Spain (EIF: 1 December 1994); Denmark (EIF: 1 May 1995); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Italy (EIF: 1 February 1996); Cyprus (EIF: 1 January 1997); Iceland (EIF: 1 January 1997); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Bahamas (EIF: 1 March 1998); Chile (EIF: 1 March 1998); Colombia (EIF: 1 March 1998); Honduras (EIF: 1 March 1998); Mauritius (EIF: 1 March 1998); Monaco (EIF: 1 March 1998); Panama (EIF: 1 March 1998); Romania (EIF: 1 March 1998); Saint Kitts and Nevis (EIF: 1 March 1998); Slovenia (EIF: 1 March 1998); South Africa (EIF: 1 March 1998); Zimbabwe (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Moldova (EIF: 1 September 1998); Paraguay (EIF: 1 December 1998); Uzbekistan (EIF: 1 January 2000); Brazil (EIF: 1 May 2000); Uruguay (EIF: 1 May 2000); Malta (EIF: 1 June 2000). The Convention will enter into force between Poland and the following States: Belarus (EIF: 1 February 2001); Georgia (EIF: 1 February 2001); Fiji (EIF: 1 February 2001); Turkmenistan (EIF: 1 February 2001); Costa Rica (EIF: 1 February 2001).

ROMANIA 1 February 1993

The Convention is in force between Romania and the following States: France (EIF: 1 March 1993); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 March 1993); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 April 1993); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 April 1993); Ireland (EIF: 1 April 1993); United States of America (EIF: 1 June 1993); Germany (EIF: 1 July 1993); Argentina (EIF: 1 August 1993); Israel (EIF: 1 November 1993); Sweden (EIF: 1 December 1993); Australia (EIF: 1 January 1994); Finland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Switzerland (EIF: 1 October 1994); Austria (EIF: 1 November 1994); Spain (EIF: 1 December 1994); Denmark (EIF: 1 May 1995); Canada (EIF: 1 June 1995); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Norway (EIF: 1 October 1998); Italy (EIF: 1 September 2000).

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS 1 August 1994

The Convention is in force between Saint Kitts and Nevis and the following States: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 August 1994); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 October 1994); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 November 1994); Ireland (EIF: 1 December 1994); Sweden (EIF: 1 January 1995); Germany* (EIF: 1 May 1995); United States of America (EIF: 1 June 1995); Panama (EIF: 1 June 1995); Canada (EIF: 1 August 1995); Australia (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Israel (EIF: 1 January 1996); Chile (EIF: 1 May 1996); Argentina (EIF: 1 December 1996); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Switzerland (EIF: 1 May 1997); Finland (EIF: 1 May 1997); Spain (EIF: 1 June 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); New Zealand (EIF: 1 March 1998); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Norway (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998).

* The Note of the Embassy of Germany contains the following declaration: "The reservation under Article 26, paragraph 3, of the Convention made by Saint Kitts and Nevis on its accession is believed by the competent German judicial authorities to be connected with the fact that Saint Kitts and Nevis does not have a system of legal aid. Introduction of such a system would, however, render the reservation in its present form inadmissible. A possible solution would be for Saint Kitts and Nevis to supplement its reservation under Article 26, paragraph 3, accordingly." (Translation)

SLOVENIA 1 June 1994

The Convention is in force between Slovenia and the following States: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 June 1994); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 July 1994); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 August 1994); Switzerland (EIF: 1 October 1994); Australia (EIF: 1 November 1994); Austria (EIF: 1 November 1994); Ireland (EIF: 1 December 1994); Sweden (EIF: 1 January 1995); United States of America (EIF: 1 April 1995); Argentina (EIF: 1 May 1995); Panama (EIF: 1 June 1995); Germany (EIF: 1 June 1995); Canada (EIF: 1 August 1995); Spain (EIF: 1 September 1995); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Israel (EIF: 1 January 1996); Chile (EIF: 1 May 1996); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Hungary (EIF: 1 April 1997); Finland (EIF: 1 May 1997); Norway (EIF: 1 June 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Uzbekistan (EIF: 1 March 2000).

SOUTH AFRICA 1 October 1997

The Convention is in force between South Africa and the following States: United States of America (EIF: 1 November 1997); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 November 1997); Israel (EIF: 1 December 1997); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland* (EIF: 1 December 1997); Finland (EIF: 1 December 1997); Ireland (EIF: 1 December 1997); Sweden (EIF: 1 January 1998); Australia (EIF: 1 January 1998); Germany (EIF: 1 February 1998); New Zealand (EIF: 1 March 1998); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Norway (EIF: 1 March 1998); Switzerland (EIF: 1 August 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Argentina (EIF: 1 November 1998); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF:1 December 1998); Canada (EIF: 1 May 1999); Chile (EIF: 1 June 1999); Spain (EIF: 1 February 2000); Greece (EIF: 1 March 2000).

* The United Kingdom made the following declaration with regard to the accession of South Africa to the Convention:
"...notwithstanding the provisions of the said Article, the United Kingdom accepts the accession of South Africa ... with effect from 1 October 1997."

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 1 September 2000

The Convention will enter into force between Trinidad and Tobago and Finland on 1 February 2001.

TURKMENISTAN 1 March 1998

The Convention is in force between Turkmenistan and the following States: Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 May 1998); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EIF: 1 May 1998); Israel (EIF: 1 June 1998); Finland (EIF: 1 July 1998); Germany (EIF: 1 August 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998); Australia (EIF: 1 November 1998); Argentina (EIF: 1 November 1998); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 December 1998); Chile (EIF: 1 June 1999); Spain (EIF: 1 October 1999); Georgia (EIF: 1 January 2000). The Convention will enter into force between Turkmenistan and the following States: Poland (EIF: 1 February 2001); Switzerland (EIF: 1 February 2001).

URUGUAY 1 February 2000

The Convention is in force between Uruguay and the following States: Argentina (EIF: 1 April 2000); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 April 2000); Israel (EIF:1 April 2000); Chile (EIF: 1 May 2000); Poland (EIF:1 May 2000); Finland (EIF: 1 September 2000); Colombia (EIF: 1 September 2000). The Convention will enter into force between Uruguay and Switzerland on 1 February 2001.

UZBEKISTAN 1 August 1999

The Convention is in force between Uzbekistan and the following States: Israel (EIF: 1 October 1999); Poland (EIF: 1 January 2000); Slovenia (EIF: 1 March 2000); Argentina (EIF: 1 April 2000). The Convention will enter into force between Uzbekistan and Switzerland on 1 February 2001.

ZIMBABWE 1 July 1995

The Convention is in force between Zimbabwe and the following States: United States of America (EIF: 1 August 1995); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland* (EIF: 1 October 1995); Luxembourg (EIF: 1 October 1995); Netherlands (for the Kingdom in Europe) (EIF: 1 November 1995); New Zealand (EIF: 1 November 1995); Mexico (EIF: 1 December 1995); Australia (EIF: 1 April 1996); Chile (EIF: 1 May 1996); Cyprus (EIF: 1 August 1996); Argentina (EIF: 1 December 1996); Ireland (EIF: 1 January 1997); Norway (EIF: 1 January 1997); Germany (EIF: 1 February 1997); Italy (EIF: 1 April 1997); Switzerland (EIF: 1 May 1997); Finland (EIF: 1 May 1997); Spain (EIF: 1 June 1997); Venezuela (EIF: 1 September 1997); China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (EIF: 1 September 1997); Greece (EIF: 1 October 1997); Israel (EIF: 1 October 1997); Sweden (EIF: 1 January 1998); Canada (EIF: 1 January 1998); Poland (EIF: 1 March 1998); Czech Republic (EIF: 1 August 1998).

* The Note of the Embassy of the United Kingdom contains the following declaration with regard to the accession of Zimbabwe to the Convention: "Notwithstanding the provisions of the said Article 38 regarding entry into force of the Convention as between the acceding State and the State that has declared its acceptance of the accession, the municipal law of the United Kingdom will be amended with effect from 1 July 1995 to give effect to the provisions of the Convention between it and Zimbabwe from the date when the Convention enters into force for Zimbabwe. I should be grateful for confirmation of the date of 1 July 1995 as the date on which the Convention will enter into force between the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has not yet received any communication from the Government of Zimbabwe concerning the date of entry into force proposed by the United Kingdom.