According to information posted on the JCICS website, a team undertook a fact-finding mission to Ethiopia from October 2-October 9, 2009.
This mission was partly in response to allegations made by an investigative television show in Australia called “Fly Away Children” about improprieties, trafficking, and “harvesting” of non-orphans from Ethiopia to the US. http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2009/s2686908.htm . One JCICS member agency, Christian World Adoptions (CWA), bore the brunt of the allegations in this program. It is worth noting that the CEO of CWA, Tomilee Harding, lists herself as a current board member of the JCICS, http://www.cwa.org/staff.htm . However, the JCICS website does not include Ms. Harding in its current list of board members. http://www.jcics.org/Board_Directors.htm
On October 12, 2009 , the JCICS claimed that a report on their activities would be published soon. See http://www.JCICS.org/Ethiopia.htm . This report, however, has not been published as of today, November 11, 2009.
PEAR respectfully asks why there has been such a long delay in posting a response to this mission, particularly as the JCICS said they would “collaboratively identify all abuses, take action consummate with our mandate and policies, and, as appropriate, to demand a thorough investigation by the appropriate authorities.”
Prospective adoptive parents considering Ethiopia as a viable and ethical country from which to adopt need to have this information in order to make informed choices about both the country program as a whole and individual agencies working there. Adoptive parents and adoptees concerned about unethical practices surrounding their adoptions are also awaiting this report. We hope the JCICS will release the report in a timely fashion, as their delay poses many questions and answers none.
Ethics, Transparency, Support
~ What All Adoptions Deserve.
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