Countries that have signed the Hague Convention usually have six weeks to try a child abduction in court. But often it takes several months before this happens - a problem the Ministry of Foreign Affairs often has in its cooperation with other countries regarding the return of children.

In many cases, child abduction cases can take months, sometimes years.

"This means, for example, that it can be difficult to locate the child. But that's unusual. Above all, it is the time it takes to try child abduction cases in court that takes time. It is not always obvious that a child should be returned, says Erica Neiglick.

Socializing instead of repatriation

Under the Hague Convention, a parent can also try to establish contact with children living in another country. This may be relevant, for example, if the child has moved and it was not illegal.

" The parent who moved with the child may have had sole custody, but the parent who remains in Sweden may have had a visitation right that does not work after the move. Then, under certain conditions, the "visiting parent" can use the same convention, says Erica Neiglick.

Bilateral agreements a possibility in non-convention countries

Several European countries, such as France, have bilateral agreements with those countries where many French children are abducted, but which are not parties to the Hague Convention.

When asked why Sweden does not have bilateral relations with the non-convention countries to which most children are taken, Neiglick answers:

– In general, however, it is preferable for more countries to accede to the Hague Convention and for a common regulatory framework than for bilateral agreements to be had.

30 children are brought to Sweden every year

"Of course, we should never be satisfied with so many children being abducted, but you also have to turn the coin. If we want to be able to demand that other countries bring back children to Sweden who we believe are illegal in that country, then they expect us to bring back children who are legal here based on our way of looking at it, says Erica Neiglick.

About thirty illegal child abductions are brought to Sweden every year.