Belize accedes to the 1996 Child Protection Convention
Today, 12 December 2024, Belize deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (1996 Child Protection Convention).
With the accession of Belize, the Convention now has 56 Contracting Parties. It will enter into force for Belize on 1 October 2025. More information on this Convention is available on the Child Protection Section of the HCCH website.
At the ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, depositary of the HCCH Conventions, Belize was represented by H.E. Dr Gianni Avila, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium. The depositary was represented by Mr Rieks Boekholt, Senior Legal Officer at the Treaties Division, while the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH was represented by Dr Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General.
Although not yet a Member of the HCCH, Belize is now a Contracting Party to five HCCH Conventions.