On 15 July 1989, in Montevideo, OAS member states adopt the Inter-American Convention on the International Return of Children — the regional instrument for returning children abducted or wrongfully retained across borders.

The Convention creates cooperation procedures among central authorities for locating and promptly returning minors, on principles similar to the 1980 Hague Convention.

Opened for signature in Montevideo, it complements the inter-American system of family protection and children’s rights.

The instrument responds to the rise of international parental abduction cases in the Americas.

For family law in the Western Hemisphere, 15 July 1989 marks an OAS standard for the international return of children.

The official text is on the Organization of American States site.

The Inter-American Convention of 15 July 1989 remains the OAS reference for the international return of children.

Image: Montevideo / OAS; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Inter-American Convention on the International Return of Children. Treaty text: Inter-American Convention on the International Return of Children (OAS).