Nepal Alert

A February 2010 report issued by the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Convention cites significant problems with the Nepal adoption process. Concerns include falsification of documents, lack of financial accountability, and uninformed consent of birth family. Citizenship and Immigration Canada has also expressed concerns regarding the validity of documents issued from Nepal. A full copy of the Hague Report is available at:

http://hcch.e-vision.nl/index_en.php?act=publications.details&pid=4958&dtid=28

Since late 2009, British Columbia has advised impacted BC licensed agencies of overall concerns and the likelihood of Canada closing this program. Effective March 10, 2010, British Columbia has made the formal decision to not facilitate adoptions from Nepal. Exceptions will be made for only for those applying to adopt relatives.

Letters of no objection (LONOs) will not be issued by the Director of Adoption for Nepal. We appreciate that this is difficult news for families hoping to adopt from Nepal. Should new information be received from Canadian federal authorities and international authorities, this moratorium will be reviewed and updated accordingly.

http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption/alerts_fact_sheets/nepal.htm

Ethics, Transparency, Support
~ What All Adoptions Deserve.
http://www.pear-now.org/