This paper examines the issue of international child abduction, focusing on the primary international instrument, the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The Convention was created to safeguard the rights and well-being of children who have been unlawfully removed or retained contrary to the wishes of their legal custodians. A special chapter outlines the application, aims, and core principles of the Convention. The terminology used within the Convention is elucidated in accordance with the Family Act, and measures taken at the national level to avert child abduction are explored. The entities responsible for the enforcement of the Convention consist of the central authority of the respective party state and its judicial system. In Croatia, the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy serves as the central authority responsible for the implementation of the Convention, while the Municipal Civil Court in Zagreb oversees the child return procedure. The paper elaborates on the jurisdiction and responsibilities of the central authority, as well as the child return procedure. Furthermore, the Convention outlines a voluntary dispute resolution mechanism known as family mediation, which is particularly intricate in cases of international child abduction compared to other family disputes. The paper also reviews judicial practice in the case of abduction of children that occurred in a non-signatory third country. Additionally, it references other legal frameworks governing international child abduction. Ultimately, the protection of the rights and well-being of children who have been unlawfully taken or retained is prioritised at international, regional, and national levels. The conclusion emphasises the significance of this document as it establishes a legally recognised framework adopted by party states in order to facilitate a more expedite child return process and advance collaboration among party states.