Understanding international child protection

ISS Switzerland as central contact point

The role of International Social Service

ISS is the central contact point for international family mediation

Under the Malta Process of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, the ISS network is one of the actors that put international family mediation into practice — precisely in situations where no convention protects the child.

International family mediationIn countries where ISS provides this service directly.
ReferralReferral to reliable mediation services, including abroad.
Central contact pointFor international family mediation in the context of the Malta Process.
Pre-mediationPreparing families in advance, access to professionals and advocacy.

Our services

What ISS Switzerland does in practice

As the central contact point for international family mediation in Switzerland, ISS Switzerland helps families facing child abduction or a family conflict that crosses borders. Our services are free of charge and available to parents and professionals alike.

First contact

Informing and referring

Not sure where to start? We answer your questions and explain the steps to take.

  • A daily telephone helpline, for parents and authorities alike.
  • Clear explanations of your remedies when the country concerned has not signed the 1980 Hague Convention.
  • Referral to the competent services and network professionals in Switzerland.
  • Referral to family mediation in all countries involved in the Malta Process.
Support

Supporting parents

Specialist advice, focused on the child’s interests, throughout the situation.

  • Advice and support for each parent.
  • Help to maintain or restore the relationship between the child and the left-behind parent.
  • Preventive consultation, when an abduction is feared, to try to prevent it.
Resolution

Acting on the situation

From mediation to the child’s return, we support every step.

  • International family mediation.
  • Support in coordinating the return and putting protective measures in place with the authorities.
  • Follow-up after the abduction, and support with the return if needed.

And if the country has signed the Hague Convention?

In that case, the competent authorities conduct the proceedings. ISS Switzerland then acts in a complementary role: we offer the same support services, backing up the work of the authorities.

This mandate is part of ISS Switzerland’s day-to-day work with families and its expertise in child abduction and international family conflicts.

The problem

The 1980 Hague Convention (child abduction) and the 1996 Hague Convention (child protection) are binding only on their States Parties. When a child is retained in a non-contracting State, the left-behind parent has very few remedies.

On top of this there is a conceptual gap: custody and guardianship work differently across legal traditions, which complicates the mutual recognition of decisions.

The response

Rather than a new binding instrument, lasting dialogue between judges, central authorities and experts from both legal traditions.

The aim: to build a shared understanding, encourage accession to the Hague Conventions and develop international family mediation where the law is not enough.

Five conferences, twenty years of dialogue

Malta I to V

2004

Malta I — the start of dialogue

First meeting between European States and States with an Islamic legal tradition, on maintaining relationships between children and parents living in different countries.

2006

Malta II — the Malta Declaration

The first two conferences produced the Conclusions and Recommendations set out in the Malta Declaration.

2009

Malta III — creation of the Working Party on Mediation

On the conference’s recommendation, a Working Party was set up to develop mediation structures where the 1980 Convention does not apply.

Turning point
2011

The Principles for the Establishment of Mediation Structures

The Working Party drew up the Principles enabling States to designate Central Contact Points for international family mediation.

Where ISS comes in
2016

Malta IV — focus on accession to the Conventions

Experts recognised the need to strengthen international cooperation and, in particular, to encourage accession to the 1980, 1996 and 2007 Conventions.

2024

Malta V — Valletta, 24–27 September

HCCH Conventions as bridges between civil law, common law and Islamic law. On the agenda: kafala and the 1996 Convention, the voice of the child in mediation, and the future of the Working Party. Switzerland was represented by the Federal Office of Justice.

Most recent
What it produces — 1

The Malta Declaration

Shared principles on the child’s right to maintain relationships with both parents.

What it produces — iii

The Mediation Principles

A framework for each State to designate a Central Contact Point for international family mediation.

What it produces — iii

A network of practitioners

Judges from the International Hague Network of Judges, central authorities and mediators who know and talk to each other.

What the Malta Process is not

It is not a treaty. Its conclusions do not create binding obligations and their implementation depends on the will of each State: not all have designated a Central Contact Point. The Process complements the Hague Conventions — it does not replace them.