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葡文版本

第11/2006號行政長官公告

鑑於中華人民共和國就一九九三年五月二十九日訂於海牙的《跨國收養方面保護兒童及合作公約》(以下簡稱《公約》),於二零零五年九月七日向荷蘭王國外交部交存批准書;

又鑑於中華人民共和國於交存批准書的同日以照會作出通知,《公約》適用於澳門特別行政區;

同時,根據《公約》第四十六條第二款a項的規定,《公約》於二零零六年一月一日在國際上對中華人民共和國生效,包括對澳門特別行政區生效;

行政長官根據澳門特別行政區第3/1999號法律第六條第一款的規定,命令公佈:

——中華人民共和國送交保管實體的批准書中、英文文本的有用部分及相應的葡文譯本;

——中華人民共和國送交保管實體關於澳門特別行政區的通知書中、英文文本的有用部分及相應的葡文譯本;

——《公約》的英文正式文本及相應的中、葡文譯本。

二零零六年三月十日發佈。

行政長官 何厚鏵

———

二零零六年三月十日於行政長官辦公室

辦公室主任 何永安


批 准 書

“中華人民共和國主席根據中華人民共和國第十屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第十五次會議決定,批准由中華人民共和國政府代表於二零零零年十一月三十日簽署的《跨國收養方面保護兒童及合作公約》(以下簡稱“公約”)。同時聲明如下:

一、中華人民共和國民政部為中華人民共和國履行《公約》賦予職責的中央機關。

二、《公約》第十五條至第二十一條規定的中央機關職能由中華人民共和國政府委託的收養組織——中國收養中心履行;只有在收養國政府或政府委託的組織履行有關中央機關職能的情況下,該國公民才能收養慣常居住在中華人民共和國的中國兒童。

三、中華人民共和國涉外收養證明的出具機關為被收養人常住戶口所在地的省、自治區、直轄市人民政府民政部門,其出具的收養登記證為收養證明。

四、中華人民共和國沒有義務承認根據《公約》第三十九條第二款所達成的協議而進行的收養。

(......)”

Instrument of Ratification

“In accordance with the decision of the 15th Meeting of the 10th Session of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, the President of the People's Republic of China has ratified the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (hereinafter referred to as the Convention) signed by the Representative of the Government of the People's Republic of China on 30 November 2000, and at the same time declares:

1. Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People's Republic of China is the Central Authority of the People's Republic of China to discharge all duties imposed by the Convention.

2. The functions of the Central Authority under Article 15 to 21 will be performed by the adoption body accredited by the Government of the People's Republic of China – China Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA). Adoptions of children habitually resident in the People's Republic of China may only take place if the functions of Central Authorities are performed by public authorities of the receiving States or competent bodies accredited by them.

3. The civil affairs organs of the provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under the Central Government where the prolonged residence of the adopted child is located are the competent authorities of the People's Republic of China to issue an adoption certificate, which may be by the name of Adoption Registration Certificate.

4. The People's Republic of China is not bound under this Convention to recognize adoptions made in accordance with an agreement concluded by application of Article 39, paragraph 2.

(...)”

通 知 書

(二零零五年九月七日荷外發第(05)——165號文件)

“中華人民共和國駐荷蘭王國大使館謹奉示向荷蘭王國外交部遞交中華人民共和國批准一九九三年五月二十九日訂於海牙《跨國收養方面保護兒童及合作公約》的批准書,並代表中華人民共和國政府陳述如下:

(……)

2. 根據《中華人民共和國澳門特別行政區基本法》有關規定,中華人民共和國政府決定,上述公約適用於中華人民共和國澳門特別行政區。根據公約第六條和第二十三條第二款的規定,中華人民共和國政府指定澳門特別行政區社會工作局負責在特別行政區內履行中央機關的職能並負責為特別行政區出具收養證明:

中華人民共和國

澳門西墳馬路6號

社會文化司社會工作局

電話號碼:+853 574067

傳真號碼:+853 559529

電郵:kenny@iasm.gov.mo

根據公約第二十二條第四款的規定,只有有關中央機關的職能由公約第三章所指的中央機關或委託機構履行時,才可進行慣常居住在澳門特別行政區的兒童的跨國收養。

(……)”

Notification

(Document He Wai Fa No. (05)-165 of 7 September 2005)

“The Embassy of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, instructed by its Government, has the honor to submit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands the Instrument of Ratification of the PRC for the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, done in The Hague on May 29, 1993, and to state the following on behalf of the Government of the PRC:

(…)

2. In accordance with the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the PRC, the Government of the PRC decides that the Convention applies to the Macau Special Administrative Region of the PRC. In accordance with Article 6 and Article 23(2) of the Convention, the Government of the PRC designates the following authority as Central Authority in the Macau Special Administrative Region to discharge all duties imposed by the Convention as well as to issue an Adoption Certificate:

Instituto de Acção Social (Social Welfare Bureau of the Department of Social Affairs and Culture)

Estrada do Cemitério, n.º 6, Macau

People's Republic of China

Telephone number: +853 574 067

Telefax number: + 853 559 529

E-mail address: kenny@iasm.gov.mo

In accordance with Article 22(4) of the Convention, the adoption of children habitually resident in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the PRC may only take place if the functions of the Central Authorities are performed by public authorities or bodies accredited under Chapter III of the Convention.

(…)”

———

Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption

The States signatory to the present Convention,

Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,

Recalling that each State should take, as a matter of priority, appropriate measures to enable the child to remain in the care of his or her family of origin,

Recognizing that intercountry adoption may offer the advantage of a permanent family to a child for whom a suitable family cannot be found in his or her State of origin,

Convinced of the necessity to take measures to ensure that intercountry adoptions are made in the best interests of the child and with respect for his or her fundamental rights, and to prevent the abduction, the sale of, or traffic in children,

Desiring to establish common provisions to this effect, taking into account the principles set forth in international instruments, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, of 20 November 1989, and the United Nations Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating to the Protection and Welfare of Children, with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption Nationally and Internationally (General Assembly Resolution 41/85, of 3 December 1986),

Have agreed upon the following provisions:

CHAPTER I

SCOPE OF THE CONVENTION

Article 1

The objects of the present Convention are —

a) to establish safeguards to ensure that intercountry adoptions take place in the best interests of the child and with respect for his or her fundamental rights as recognized in international law;

b) to establish a system of co-operation amongst Contracting States to ensure that those safeguards are respected and thereby prevent the abduction, the sale of, or traffic in children;

c) to secure the recognition in Contracting States of adoptions made in accordance with the Convention.

Article 2

(1) The Convention shall apply where a child habitually resident in one Contracting State (“the State of origin”) has been, is being, or is to be moved to another Contracting State (“the receiving State”) either after his or her adoption in the State of origin by spouses or a person habitually resident in the receiving State, or for the purposes of such an adoption in the receiving State or in the State of origin.

(2) The Convention covers only adoptions that create a permanent parent-child relationship.

Article 3

The Convention ceases to apply if the agreements mentioned in Article 17, sub-paragraph c, have not been given before the child attains the age of eighteen years.

CHAPTER II

REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTIONS

Article 4

An adoption within the scope of the Convention shall take place only if the competent authorities of the State of origin —

a) have established that the child is adoptable;

b) have determined, after possibilities for placement of the child within the State of origin have been given due consideration, that an intercountry adoption is in the child's best interests;

c) have ensured that

(1) the persons, institutions and authorities whose consent is necessary for adoption, have been counselled as may be necessary and duly informed of the effects of their consent, in particular whether or not an adoption will result in the termination of the legal relationship between the child and his or her family of origin,

(2) such persons, institutions and authorities have given their consent freely, in the required legal form, and expressed or evidenced in writing,

(3) the consents have not been induced by payment or compensation of any kind and have not been withdrawn, and

(4) the consent of the mother, where required, has been given only after the birth of the child; and

d) have ensured, having regard to the age and degree of maturity of the child, that

(1) he or she has been counselled and duly informed of the effects of the adoption and of his or her consent to the adoption, where such consent is required,

(2) consideration has been given to the child's wishes and opinions,

(3) the child's consent to the adoption, where such consent is required, has been given freely, in the required legal form, and expressed or evidenced in writing, and

(4) such consent has not been induced by payment or compensation of any kind.

Article 5

An adoption within the scope of the Convention shall take place only if the competent authorities of the receiving State –

a) have determined that the prospective adoptive parents are eligible and suited to adopt;

b) have ensured that the prospective adoptive parents have been counselled as may be necessary; and

c) have determined that the child is or will be authorized to enter and reside permanently in that State.

CHAPTER III

CENTRAL AUTHORITIES AND ACCREDITED BODIES

Article 6

(1) A Contracting State shall designate a Central Authority to discharge the duties which are imposed by the Convention upon such authorities.

(2) Federal States, States with more than one system of law or States having autonomous territorial units shall be free to appoint more than one Central Authority and to specify the territorial or personal extent of their functions. Where a State has appointed more than one Central Authority, it shall designate the Central Authority to which any communication may be addressed for transmission to the appropriate Central Authority within that State.

Article 7

(1) Central Authorities shall co-operate with each other and promote co-operation amongst the competent authorities in their States to protect children and to achieve the other objects of the Convention.

(2) They shall take directly all appropriate measures to —

a) provide information as to the laws of their States concerning adoption and other general information, such as statistics and standard forms;

b) keep one another informed about the operation of the Convention and, as far as possible, eliminate any obstacles to its application.

Article 8

Central Authorities shall take, directly or through public authorities, all appropriate measures to prevent improper financial or other gain in connection with an adoption and to deter all practices contrary to the objects of the Convention.

Article 9

Central Authorities shall take, directly or through public authorities or other bodies duly accredited in their State, all appropriate measures, in particular to —

a) collect, preserve and exchange information about the situation of the child and the prospective adoptive parents, so far as is necessary to complete the adoption;

b) facilitate, follow and expedite proceedings with a view to obtaining the adoption;

c) promote the development of adoption counselling and post-adoption services in their States;

d) provide each other with general evaluation reports about experience with intercountry adoption;

e) reply, in so far as is permitted by the law of their State, to justified requests from other Central Authorities or public authorities for information about a particular adoption situation.

Article 10

Accreditation shall only be granted to and maintained by bodies demonstrating their competence to carry out properly the tasks with which they may be entrusted.

Article 11

An accredited body shall —

a) pursue only non-profit objectives according to such conditions and within such limits as may be established by the competent authorities of the State of accreditation;

b) be directed and staffed by persons qualified by their ethical standards and by training or experience to work in the field of intercountry adoption; and

c) be subject to supervision by competent authorities of that State as to its composition, operation and financial situation.

Article 12

A body accredited in one Contracting State may act in another Contracting State only if the competent authorities of both States have authorized it to do so.

Article 13

The designation of the Central Authorities and, where appropriate, the extent of their functions, as well as the names and addresses of the accredited bodies shall be communicated by each Contracting State to the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

CHAPTER IV

PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS IN INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION

Article 14

Persons habitually resident in a Contracting State, who wish to adopt a child habitually resident in another Contracting State, shall apply to the Central Authority in the State of their habitual residence.

Article 15

(1) If the Central Authority of the receiving State is satisfied that the applicants are eligible and suited to adopt, it shall prepare a report including information about their identity, eligibility and suitability to adopt, background, family and medical history, social environment, reasons for adoption, ability to undertake an intercountry adoption, as well as the characteristics of the children for whom they would be qualified to care.

(2) It shall transmit the report to the Central Authority of the State of origin.

Article 16

(1) If the Central Authority of the State of origin is satisfied that the child is adoptable, it shall —

a) prepare a report including information about his or her identity, adoptability, background, social environment, family history, medical history including that of the child's family, and any special needs of the child;

b) give due consideration to the child's upbringing and to his or her ethnic, religious and cultural background;

c) ensure that consents have been obtained in accordance with Article 4; and

d) determine, on the basis in particular of the reports relating to the child and the prospective adoptive parents, whether the envisaged placement is in the best interests of the child.

(2) It shall transmit to the Central Authority of the receiving State its report on the child, proof that the necessary consents have been obtained and the reasons for its determination on the placement, taking care not to reveal the identity of the mother and the father if, in the State of origin, these identities may not be disclosed.

Article 17

Any decision in the State of origin that a child should be entrusted to prospective adoptive parents may only be made if –

a) the Central Authority of that State has ensured that the prospective adoptive parents agree;

b) the Central Authority of the receiving State has approved such decision, where such approval is required by the law of that State or by the Central Authority of the State of origin;

c) the Central Authorities of both States have agreed that the adoption may proceed; and

d) it has been determined, in accordance with Article 5, that the prospective adoptive parents are eligible and suited to adopt and that the child is or will be authorized to enter and reside permanently in the receiving State.

Article 18

The Central Authorities of both States shall take all necessary steps to obtain permission for the child to leave the State of origin and to enter and reside permanently in the receiving State.

Article 19

(1) The transfer of the child to the receiving State may only be carried out if the requirements of Article 17 have been satisfied.

(2) The Central Authorities of both States shall ensure that this transfer takes place in secure and appropriate circumstances and, if possible, in the company of the adoptive or prospective adoptive parents.

(3) If the transfer of the child does not take place, the reports referred to in Articles 15 and 16 are to be sent back to the authorities who forwarded them.

Article 20

The Central Authorities shall keep each other informed about the adoption process and the measures taken to complete it, as well as about the progress of the placement if a probationary period is required.

Article 21

(1) Where the adoption is to take place after the transfer of the child to the receiving State and it appears to the Central Authority of that State that the continued placement of the child with the prospective adoptive parents is not in the child's best interests, such Central Authority shall take the measures necessary to protect the child, in particular —

a) to cause the child to be withdrawn from the prospective adoptive parents and to arrange temporary care;

b) in consultation with the Central Authority of the State of origin, to arrange without delay a new placement of the child with a view to adoption or, if this is not appropriate, to arrange alternative long-term care; an adoption shall not take place until the Central Authority of the State of origin has been duly informed concerning the new prospective adoptive parents;

c) as a last resort, to arrange the return of the child, if his or her interests so require.

(2) Having regard in particular to the age and degree of maturity of the child, he or she shall be consulted and, where appropriate, his or her consent obtained in relation to measures to be taken under this Article.

Article 22

(1) The functions of a Central Authority under this Chapter may be performed by public authorities or by bodies accredited under Chapter III, to the extent permitted by the law of its State.

(2) Any Contracting State may declare to the depositary of the Convention that the functions of the Central Authority under Articles 15 to 21 may be performed in that State, to the extent permitted by the law and subject to the supervision of the competent authorities of that State, also by bodies or persons who —

a) meet the requirements of integrity, professional competence, experience and accountability of that State; and

b) are qualified by their ethical standards and by training or experience to work in the field of intercountry adoption.

(3) A Contracting State which makes the declaration provided for in paragraph 2 shall keep the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law informed of the names and addresses of these bodies and persons.

(4) Any Contracting State may declare to the depositary of the Convention that adoptions of children habitually resident in its territory may only take place if the functions of the Central Authorities are performed in accordance with paragraph 1.

(5) Notwithstanding any declaration made under paragraph 2, the reports provided for in Articles 15 and 16 shall, in every case, be prepared under the responsibility of the Central Authority or other authorities or bodies in accordance with paragraph 1.

CHAPTER V

RECOGNITION AND EFFECTS OF THE ADOPTION

Article 23

(1) An adoption certified by the competent authority of the State of the adoption as having been made in accordance with the Convention shall be recognized by operation of law in the other Contracting States. The certificate shall specify when and by whom the agreements under Article 17, sub-paragraph c), were given.

(2) Each Contracting State shall, at the time of signature, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, notify the depositary of the Convention of the identity and the functions of the authority or the authorities which, in that State, are competent to make the certification. It shall also notify the depositary of any modification in the designation of these authorities.

Article 24

The recognition of an adoption may be refused in a Contracting State only if the adoption is manifestly contrary to its public policy, taking into account the best interests of the child.

Article 25

Any Contracting State may declare to the depositary of the Convention that it will not be bound under this Convention to recognize adoptions made in accordance with an agreement concluded by application of Article 39, paragraph 2.

Article 26

(1) The recognition of an adoption includes recognition of

a) the legal parent-child relationship between the child and his or her adoptive parents;

b) parental responsibility of the adoptive parents for the child;

c) the termination of a pre-existing legal relationship between the child and his or her mother and father, if the adoption has this effect in the Contracting State where it was made.

(2) In the case of an adoption having the effect of terminating a pre-existing legal parent-child relationship, the child shall enjoy in the receiving State, and in any other Contracting State where the adoption is recognized, rights equivalent to those resulting from adoptions having this effect in each such State.

(3) The preceding paragraphs shall not prejudice the application of any provision more favourable for the child, in force in the Contracting State which recognizes the adoption.

Article 27

(1) Where an adoption granted in the State of origin does not have the effect of terminating a pre-existing legal parent-child relationship, it may, in the receiving State which recognizes the adoption under the Convention, be converted into an adoption having such an effect —

a) if the law of the receiving State so permits; and

b) if the consents referred to in Article 4, sub-paragraphs c and d, have been or are given for the purpose of such an adoption.

(2) Article 23 applies to the decision converting the adoption.

CHAPTER VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 28

The Convention does not affect any law of a State of origin which requires that the adoption of a child habitually resident within that State take place in that State or which prohibits the child's placement in, or transfer to, the receiving State prior to adoption.

Article 29

There shall be no contact between the prospective adoptive parents and the child's parents or any other person who has care of the child until the requirements of Article 4, sub-paragraphs a) to c), and Article 5, sub-paragraph a), have been met, unless the adoption takes place within a family or unless the contact is in compliance with the conditions established by the competent authority of the State of origin.

Article 30

(1) The competent authorities of a Contracting State shall ensure that information held by them concerning the child's origin, in particular information concerning the identity of his or her parents, as well as the medical history, is preserved.

(2) They shall ensure that the child or his or her representative has access to such information, under appropriate guidance, in so far as is permitted by the law of that State.

Article 31

Without prejudice to Article 30, personal data gathered or transmitted under the Convention, especially data referred to in Articles 15 and 16, shall be used only for the purposes for which they were gathered or transmitted.

Article 32

(1) No one shall derive improper financial or other gain from an activity related to an intercountry adoption.

(2) Only costs and expenses, including reasonable professional fees of persons involved in the adoption, may be charged or paid.

(3) The directors, administrators and employees of bodies involved in an adoption shall not receive remuneration which is unreasonably high in relation to services rendered.

Article 33

A competent authority which finds that any provision of the Convention has not been respected or that there is a serious risk that it may not be respected, shall immediately inform the Central Authority of its State. This Central Authority shall be responsible for ensuring that appropriate measures are taken.

Article 34

If the competent authority of the State of destination of a document so requests, a translation certified as being in conformity with the original must be furnished. Unless otherwise provided, the costs of such translation are to be borne by the prospective adoptive parents.

Article 35

The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall act expeditiously in the process of adoption.

Article 36

In relation to a State which has two or more systems of law with regard to adoption applicable in different territorial units –

a) any reference to habitual residence in that State shall be construed as referring to habitual residence in a territorial unit of that State;

b) any reference to the law of that State shall be construed as referring to the law in force in the relevant territorial unit;

c) any reference to the competent authorities or to the public authorities of that State shall be construed as referring to those authorized to act in the relevant territorial unit;

d) any reference to the accredited bodies of that State shall be construed as referring to bodies accredited in the relevant territorial unit.

Article 37

In relation to a State which with regard to adoption has two or more systems of law applicable to different categories of persons, any reference to the law of that State shall be construed as referring to the legal system specified by the law of that State.

Article 38

A State within which different territorial units have their own rules of law in respect of adoption shall not be bound to apply the Convention where a State with a unified system of law would not be bound to do so.

Article 39

(1) The Convention does not affect any international instrument to which Contracting States are Parties and which contains provisions on matters governed by the Convention, unless a contrary declaration is made by the States Parties to such instrument.

(2) Any Contracting State may enter into agreements with one or more other Contracting States, with a view to improving the application of the Convention in their mutual relations. These agreements may derogate only from the provisions of Articles 14 to 16 and 18 to 21. The States which have concluded such an agreement shall transmit a copy to the depositary of the Convention.

Article 40

No reservation to the Convention shall be permitted.

Article 41

The Convention shall apply in every case where an application pursuant to Article 14 has been received after the Convention has entered into force in the receiving State and the State of origin.

Article 42

The Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law shall at regular intervals convene a Special Commission in order to review the practical operation of the Convention.

CHAPTER VII

FINAL CLAUSES

Article 43

(1) The Convention shall be open for signature by the States which were Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law at the time of its Seventeenth Session and by the other States which participated in that Session.

(2) It shall be ratified, accepted or approved and the instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, depositary of the Convention.

Article 44

(1) Any other State may accede to the Convention after it has entered into force in accordance with Article 46, paragraph 1.

(2) The instrument of accession shall be deposited with the depositary.

(3) Such accession shall have effect only as regards the relations between the acceding State and those Contracting States which have not raised an objection to its accession in the six months after the receipt of the notification referred to in sub-paragraph b) of Article 48. Such an objection may also be raised by States at the time when they ratify, accept or approve the Convention after an accession. Any such objection shall be notified to the depositary.

Article 45

(1) If a State has two or more territorial units in which different systems of law are applicable in relation to matters dealt with in the Convention, it may at the time of signature, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession declare that this Convention shall extend to all its territorial units or only to one or more of them and may modify this declaration by submitting another declaration at any time.

(2) Any such declaration shall be notified to the depositary and shall state expressly the territorial units to which the Convention applies.

(3) If a State makes no declaration under this Article, the Convention is to extend to all territorial units of that State.

Article 46

(1) The Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the deposit of the third instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval referred to in Article 43.

(2) Thereafter the Convention shall enter into force —

a) for each State ratifying, accepting or approving it subsequently, or acceding to it, on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession;

b) for a territorial unit to which the Convention has been extended in conformity with Article 45, on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the notification referred to in that Article.

Article 47

(1) A State Party to the Convention may denounce it by a notification in writing addressed to the depositary.

(2) The denunciation takes effect on the first day of the month following the expiration of twelve months after the notification is received by the depositary. Where a longer period for the denunciation to take effect is specified in the notification, the denunciation takes effect upon the expiration of such longer period after the notification is received by the depositary.

Article 48

The depositary shall notify the States Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, the other States which participated in the Seventeenth Session and the States which have acceded in accordance with Article 44, of the following –

a) the signatures, ratifications, acceptances and approvals referred to in Article 43;

b) the accessions and objections raised to accessions referred to in Article 44;

c) the date on which the Convention enters into force in accordance with Article 46;

d) the declarations and designations referred to in Articles 22, 23, 25 and 45;

e) the agreements referred to in Article 39;

f) the denunciations referred to in Article 47.

In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this Convention.

Done at The Hague, on the 29th day of May 1993, in the English and French languages, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and of which a certified copy shall be sent, through diplomatic channels, to each of the States Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law at the date of its Seventeenth Session and to each of the other States which participated in that Session.

———

跨國收養方面保護兒童及合作公約

本公約簽字國,

認識到為了兒童人格的完整和協調發展,兒童應在一個充滿幸福、慈愛和理解的家庭環境中成長,

呼籲每一國家應採取適當措施以使兒童能夠持續地得到其出生家庭的照顧,並將此作為優先考慮事項,

認識到跨國收養可為在其原住國不能找到適當家庭的兒童提供永久家庭的優勢,

確認有必要採取措施,確保跨國收養的實施符合兒童最佳利益並尊重其基本權利,防止誘拐、出賣和販賣兒童,

希望為此制定共同規則,並顧及國際文件,尤其是1989年11月20日的聯合國《兒童權利公約》以及聯合國《關於兒童保護及福利、特別是國內和國際寄養和收養辦法的社會和法律原則宣言》(1986年12月3日的第41/85號大會決議)中體現的原則,

玆議定下列條款:

第一章

公約的範圍

第一條

本公約的宗旨為:

(一) 制定保障措施,確保跨國收養的實施符合兒童最佳利益和尊重國際法所承認的兒童的基本權利;

(二) 在締約國之間建立合作制度,確保上述保障措施得到遵守,以防止誘拐、出賣和販賣兒童;

(三) 確保根據本公約所進行的收養得到締約國承認。

第二條

一、本公約適用於慣常居住在一締約國(原住國)的兒童在該國被慣常居住在另一締約國(收養國)的夫妻或個人收養以後,或者為在原住國或收養國進行此收養的目的,已經、正在或將要被移送到收養國的案件。

二、本公約僅適用於產生永久的父母子女關係的收養。

第三條

如果在兒童年滿18歲時,第十七條第(三)項提及的同意仍未作出,則本公約停止適用。

第二章

跨國收養的要件

第四條

原住國的主管機關只有在確認符合下列條件的情況下,才能進行本公約範圍內的收養:

(一) 確認該兒童適於被收養;

(二) 在充分考慮了在原住國內安置該兒童的可能性後,確認跨國收養符合兒童的最佳利益;

(三) 確保:

1. 已與須經其同意方可進行收養的個人、機構和機關,進行了必要的協商,且上述個人、機構和機關已被適當告知其同意收養的後果,特別是收養是否終止兒童與其出生家庭的法律關係;

2. 上述個人、機構和機關已經自主地按符合要求的法律形式表示了同意,該項同意應以書面方式作出或經書面證明;

3. 該項同意不是因給付了任何形式的報酬或補償而獲得,且沒有被撤回;和

4. 在要求徵得母親同意的情況下,該項同意是在兒童出生後作出;和

(四) 考慮到兒童年齡和成熟程度,確保:

1. 在要求徵得兒童同意的情況下,已與該兒童商議並適當告知其收養的後果和其同意收養的後果;

2. 兒童的願望和意見已給予考慮;

3. 在要求徵得兒童同意的情況下,兒童已自主地按符合要求的法律形式表示了同意,該項同意應以書面形式作出或經書面證明;和

4. 此項同意不是因給付了任何形式的報酬或補償而獲得。

第五條

收養國的主管機關只有在符合下列條件的情況下,才能進行本公約範圍內的收養:

(一) 確認預期養父母符合條件並適於收養兒童;

(二) 確保已與預期養父母協商;和

(三) 確認該兒童已經或將要被批准進入該國並長期居住。

第三章

中央機關和委任機構

第六條

一、每一締約國應指定一個中央機關,負責履行本公約賦予該機關的職責。

二、聯邦國家,具有一個以上法律制度的國家,或擁有自治領土單位的國家,可以指定一個以上中央機關,並指明他們職權所及的領土或人員範圍。當一國指定了一個以上中央機關時,應指定一個在任何情況下均可與其聯繫的中央機關,並由其向國內適當的中央機關轉遞有關信息。

第七條

一、中央機關應相互合作,並促進各自國家主管機關之間的合作,以保護兒童和實現本公約的其他宗旨。

二、中央機關應直接採取一切適當措施,以便:

(一)提供各自國家有關收養法律的資料以及其他一般資料,如統計數字、標準格式等;

(二)就本公約的執行情況經常互通信息,並盡力消除實施公約的任何障礙。

第八條

中央機關應當直接或通過公共機關採取一切適當措施,防止與收養有關的不適當的金錢或其他收益,並阻止違背本公約宗旨的一切活動。

第九條

中央機關應當直接或通過公共機關或在本國受到適當委任的其他機構,採取一切適當措施,特別是:

(一) 收集、保存和交換完成收養所必需的有關兒童和預期養父母情況的資料;

(二) 便利、跟進和加快收養的程序,以便實現收養;

(三) 推進各自國家的收養諮詢和收養後服務的發展;

(四) 相互提供關於跨國收養經驗的綜合性評估報告;

(五) 在本國法律允許的情況下,對其他中央機關或公共機關關於提供某項具體收養資料的正當請求作出答覆。

第十條

委任只能賦予能夠證明其有能力適當履行所交託的工作的機構,並由該機構保有這種資格。

第十一條

受委任機構應當:

(一) 只能按照委任國主管機關所確定的條件和限制範圍,追求非營利目標;

(二) 由道德標準合格和在跨國收養領域受過培訓或有過經驗而能勝任其工作的人員指導,並配備此類人員;和

(三) 接受該國主管機關對其組成、業務和財務情況的監督。

第十二條

一締約國的受委任機構只有在兩國主管機關授權的情況下,才可以在另一締約國活動。

第十三條

每一締約國應將其所指定的中央機關,必要時將他們的職權範圍,以及委任機構的名稱和地址通知海牙國際私法會議常設局。

第四章

跨國收養的程序要件

第十四條

慣常居住在一締約國的人,如希望收養慣常居住在另一締約國的兒童,應向自己慣常居住國的中央機關提出申請。

第十五條

一、如果收養國中央機關認為申請人符合條件並適宜收養,則應準備一份報告,內容包括申請人身份,其收養的合格性和適當性,其背景、家庭史和病史、社會環境、收養原因、負擔跨國收養的能力以及他們適合照顧的兒童的特點。

二、收養國的中央機關應將此報告轉交原住國的中央機關。

第十六條

一、如果原住國中央機關認為該兒童可被收養,則應:

(一) 準備一份報告,內容包括該兒童的身份、可被收養性、背景、社會環境、家庭史和包括兒童家庭成員在內的病史及兒童的任何特殊需要;

(二) 充分考慮兒童的成長和其種族、宗教及文化背景;

(三) 確保已經取得第四條規定的同意;和

(四) 以有關報告特別是關於兒童和預期養父母情況的報告為基礎,確認所計劃的安置是否符合該兒童的最佳利益。

二、原住國中央機關應向收養國中央機關轉交關於兒童的報告,證明已經取得必需的同意和說明作出該項安置決定的原因。如果兒童父母的身份在原住國不能公開,則應注意不洩露該父母的身份。

第十七條

原住國將兒童託付給預期養父母的任何決定,只有在下列情況下才能作出:

(一) 原住國中央機關已經確認預期養父母同意這種安置;

(二) 收養國中央機關同意該決定,如果收養國法律或原住國中央機關要求此項同意;

(三) 兩國的中央機關都同意進行收養;和

(四) 已根據第五條的規定,確認預期養父母條件合格並適於收養,和確認該兒童已經或將被批准進入收養國並長期居住。

第十八條

兩國中央機關都應採取一切必要措施使兒童獲准離開原住國,進入收養國並長期居住。

第十九條

一、只有在滿足第十七條要求的情況下,才能將兒童移送往收養國。

二、兩國的中央機關應當確保此種移送在安全和適當的環境下進行,如有可能,由養父母或預期養父母陪同。

三、如果對兒童的移送沒有成行,應將第十五條和第十六條所指的報告退還給發出報告的機關。

第二十條

中央機關應就收養程序和完成收養程序的措施經常互通信息。如果有適應期的要求,應互相交換關於安置的進展情況的信息。

第二十一條

一、在兒童被送到收養國後才開始收養的情況下,收養國中央機關如果認為繼續將兒童安置給該預期養父母不符合該兒童的最佳利益,則應採取必要措施保護該兒童,特別是:

(一) 使該兒童脫離該預期養父母,並安排臨時性照顧;

(二) 與原住國中央機關協商,以便毫不延遲地為收養之目的重新安置該兒童,在不適宜這樣做的情況下,應安排替代性的長期照顧;收養只有在原住國中央機關得到有關新的預期養父母情況的適當通報後才能進行;

(三) 在符合兒童利益的條件下,作為最後措施,安排將兒童送回原住國。

二、特別是考慮到兒童的年齡和成熟程度,在根據本條採取措施時應與其協商,必要時應得到他們的同意。

第二十二條

一、在該國法律准許的範圍內,第三章提到的公共機關或受委任機構可履行本章所述的中央機關的職能。

二、任一締約國可向本公約保存機關聲明,在該國法律准許的範圍內並在其主管機關的監督下,可由該國符合下列條件的機構或個人履行第十五條至第二十一條規定的中央機關的職能:

(一) 符合該國對誠實、專業能力、經驗和責任感等方面的要求;和

(二) 道德標準合格和因在跨國收養領域受過培訓或有過經驗而能勝任其工作。

三、根據本條第二款規定作出聲明的締約國應將這些機構或個人的名稱和地址通知海牙國際私法會議常設局。

四、任一締約國可向本公約保存機關聲明,只有有關中央機關的職能已根據本條第一款的規定得到履行的情況下,才能開始收養慣常居住在其領土上的兒童。

五、無論是否根據本條第二款作出聲明,第十五條和第十六條中所指的報告在任何情況下均應由中央機關或符合本條第一款規定的其他機關或機構負責準備。

第五章

收養的承認及效力

第二十三條

一、經收養發生國主管機關證明的根據本公約所進行的收養,其他締約國應依法給予承認。該證明應指明按照第十七條第(三)項達成協議的中央機關及達成協議的時間。

二、每一締約國應在簽署、批准、接受、核准或加入本公約時,將本國有權出具該證明的機關名稱和職能以及任何對該指定機關的修改通知公約保存機關。

第二十四條

只有當對一項收養的承認明顯違反一締約國考慮到兒童最佳利益在內的公共政策時,該國才能拒絕承認。

第二十五條

任一締約國可向公約保存機關聲明,該國沒有義務承認根據本公約第三十九條第二款所達成的協議而進行的收養。

第二十六條

一、對收養的承認包括:

(一) 兒童與其養父母之間法律上的父母子女關係;

(二) 養父母對兒童的父母責任;

(三) 兒童與其父親或母親之間先前存在的法律關係的終止,如果在發生收養的締約國收養具有此種效力。

二、如果收養終止先前存在的法律上的父母子女關係,在收養國及承認該收養的任何其他締約國,該兒童應與各該國內具有同樣效力的被收養兒童享有同等的權利。

三、前款規定不妨礙承認收養的締約國適用其現行有效的對兒童更為有利的規定。

第二十七條

一、當在原住國成立的收養並不終止先前存在的法律上的父母子女關係時,可在根據本公約承認該收養的收養國內轉換成具有此種效力的收養,如果:

(一) 收養國法律允許;和

(二) 為此種收養的目的已經取得第四條第(三)項和第(四)項規定的同意。

二、第二十三條適用於轉換該收養的決定。

第六章

一般規定

第二十八條

本公約不影響原住國法律規定應在其國內收養慣常居住在該國的兒童,或禁止在收養發生前將兒童安置或移送到收養國。

第二十九條

在滿足了第四條第(一)項至第(三)項和第五條第(一)項的各項要求前,預期養父母、兒童的父母或照顧兒童的任何其他人不應進行聯繫,除非收養發生在一個家庭之內,或者其聯繫符合原住國主管機關規定的條件。

第三十條

一、締約國的主管機關應確保其所掌握的有關兒童的出生,特別是有關兒童父母身份及其病史的資料得到保存。

二、上述主管機關應確保在該國法律允許的情況下,該兒童或其代理人有權在適當的指導下使用這些資料。

第三十一條

在不違背第三十條的情況下,根據本公約所收集或轉遞的個人資料,特別是第十五條和第十六條提及的資料,只能用於據以收集或轉遞這些資料的目的。

第三十二條

一、任何人不得從與跨國收養有關的活動中獲取不適當的金錢或其他收益。

二、只有與收養有關的開支和花費,包括參與收養人員的合理的專業收費,可以收取或給付。

三、參與收養的機構的管理人員、行政人員和僱員,不得接受與其所提供的服務不相稱的高額報酬。

第三十三條

主管機關如發現本公約的任何規定未被遵守或有不被遵守的嚴重危險,應立即通知本國的中央機關。該中央機關應負責確保採取適當措施。

第三十四條

如果文件目的國主管機關有此要求,必須提供經證明與原件相符的譯文。除非另有規定,翻譯的費用應由預期養父母承擔。

第三十五條

締約國的主管機關應快速辦理有關收養程序。

第三十六條

對於在不同的領土單位適用兩個或更多收養法律制度的國家:

(一) 任何提及該國慣常居所的規定應被解釋為提及在該國一個領土單位內的慣常居所;

(二) 任何提及該國法律的規定應被解釋為提及有關領土單位上已生效的法律;

(三) 任何提及該國主管機關或公共機關的規定應被解釋為提及有關領土單位上的有權機關;

(四) 任何提及該國受委任機構的規定應被解釋為提及有關領土單位的受委任機構。

第三十七條

對於對不同類別的人員適用兩個或更多的收養法律制度的國家,任何提及關於該國法律的規定應被解釋為提及該國法律中特定的法律制度。

第三十八條

如果具有統一法律制度的國家沒有義務適用本公約,具有不同領土單位且各領土單位具有各自的收養法律規定的國家亦無義務適用。

第三十九條

一、本公約不影響締約國參加的包含本公約調整事項的任何其他國際文書,除非該文書的成員國作出相反聲明。

二、任何締約國可與一個或更多的其他締約國締結協議,以在其相互關係中促進適用本公約。這些協議只能減損第十四條至第十六條和第十八條至第二十一條的規定。締結此協議的國家應將其副本轉交本公約保存機關。

第四十條

本公約不允許保留。

第四十一條

本公約適用於公約在收養國和原住國生效後收到的根據第十四條提出申請的任何案件。

第四十二條

海牙國際私法會議秘書長應定期召開特別委員會會議,以審查本公約的實際執行情況。

第七章

最後條款

第四十三條

一、本公約應向海牙國際私法會議召開第17次會議時的會員國和其他參加該次會議的國家開放簽署。

二、本公約須經批准、接受或核准,批准書、接受書和核准書應交存本公約的保存機關——荷蘭王國外交部。

第四十四條

一、任何其他國家可在本公約根據第四十六條第一款生效後加入本公約。

二、加入書應交存公約保存機關。

三、此項加入僅對加入國和接到第四十八條第(二)項所指通知後6個月內未對其加入表示異議的那些締約國之間生效。其他國家可在批准、接受或核准本公約時對上述加入表示異議。任何此類異議應通知公約保存機關。

第四十五條

一、如果一個國家具有兩個或更多的領土單位,且這些領土單位在處理與本公約有關的事務時適用不同法律制度,該國在簽署、批准、接受、核准或加入時,可聲明本公約適用於其全部領土,或其中之一部分或幾部分,並可在任何時候通過提交另一項聲明修改上述聲明。

二、任何此項聲明應通知公約保存機關,並應明確本公約對其適用的領土單位。

三、如果一個國家沒有根據本條提出聲明,則本公約將適用於該國的所有領土單位。

第四十六條

一、本公約自第四十三條規定的第三份批准書、接受書或核准書交存後3個月期間屆滿後的第1個月的第1天起生效。

二、此後,本公約的生效日期為:

(一) 對嗣後批准、接受、核准或加入的每一國家,自其交存批准書、接受書、核准書或加入書後3個月期間屆滿後的第1個月的第1天起生效。

(二) 對根據第四十五條擴展適用本公約的領土單位,自該條所指的通知後3個月期間屆滿後的第1個月的第1天起生效。

第四十七條

一、本公約成員國可以書面方式通知公約保存機關退出本公約。

二、退出在本公約保存機關收到退出通知後12個月期間屆滿後的第1個月的第1天起生效。當退出通知指明更長的生效期間時,退出在本公約保存機關收到通知後的該更長期間屆滿後生效。

第四十八條

本公約保存機關應向海牙國際私法會議成員國和參加第17次會議的其他國家以及根據第四十四條加入本公約的國家通知下列事項:

(一) 第四十三條提及的簽署、批准、接受和核准;

(二) 第四十四條提及的加入和對加入提出的異議;

(三) 本公約根據第四十六條的規定生效的日期;

(四) 第二十二條、第二十三條、第二十五條和第四十五條提及的聲明和指定;

(五) 第三十九條提及的協議;

(六) 第四十七條提及的退出。

下列經正式授權的代表在本公約上簽署,以昭信守。

1993年5月29日訂於海牙,本公約僅一份,用英文和法文寫成,兩種文本同等作準。正本交荷蘭王國政府檔案庫保存,其經核證無誤的副本一份應通過外交途徑分送海牙國際私法會議召開第17次會議時的會員國及參加該次會議的其他國家。