Hague Convention – People for Ethical Adoption Reform

Child predators: Even compared to recent scandals in children’s homes, allegations of abuse at Bal Mandir are shocking (Nepali Times)

July 8, 2014 pearLeave a comment

Child predators: Even compared to recent scandals in children’s homes, allegations of abuse at Bal Mandir are shockingNepali Times 4-10 July 2014 Sunir Pandey When Sarah Robinson first came to Nepal with her son and niece in 2009, she took time out from sightseeing to visit Bal Mandir in Naxal. At the squalid state-run orphanage, Sarah’s niece happened to pick up …

FY 2013 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption

March 24, 2014 pearLeave a comment

DOS released the FY 2013 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption:http://adoption.state.gov/content/pdf/fy2013_annual_report.pdf Ethics, Transparency, Support~ What All Adoptions Deserve.http://www.pear-now.org/ People for Ethical Adoption Reform www.pear-now.org

DOS Notice: Reminder of Kenyan prohibition against pre-selection of prospective adoptees

October 27, 2013 pearLeave a comment

October 15, 2013: The Kenyan Adoption Committee has requested that the United States government remind adoption service providers and prospective adoptive parents of Kenya’s strict prohibition against pre-selection of children by prospective adoptive parents. The Kenyan National Adoption Committee, Kenya’s Central Authority under the Hague Adoption Convention, is likely to reject dossiers and/or referrals for families that have pre-selected a …

DoS Notice: Vietnam’s Department Of Adoptions is Accepting Applications From U.S. Hague-Accredited Adoption Service Providers Wishing To Facilitate Adoptions In Vietnam Under A Limited Intercountry Adoption Program

July 23, 2013 pearLeave a comment

July 2013 Department of Adoptions within the Ministry of Justice of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is now accepting applications from U.S. Hague-accredited adoption service providers (ASPs) for authorization to operate a limited intercountry adoption program for children with special needs as defined by Vietnamese law, children older than five, and children in biological sibling groups of two or more …

DoS Notice: The Hague Adoption Convention Enters into Force for Swaziland

July 4, 2013 pearLeave a comment

On July 1, 2013 the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Convention) entered into force for the Kingdom of Swaziland. However, the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland verbally notified the U.S. Embassy in Mbabane that the current suspension on intercountry adoptions will remain in effect until the country has fully implemented the Convention. The …

Nexus of Intercountry Adoption of Nepali Children and Trafficking (National Human Rights Commission)

July 1, 2013 pearLeave a comment

Trafficking in Persons Especially on Women and Children in Nepal National Human Rights CommissionOffice of the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Women and ChildrenDecember 2012Section 2.8.3Nexus of Intercountry Adoption of Nepali Children and TraffickingNepal legalized intercountry adoption by amending the National Code of 1964 in 1976. Before it, only national adoptions were allowed. From 1976 to 2000, Nepal Children’s Organization …

South Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare Signs Hague Adoption Convention

May 28, 2013 pearLeave a comment

“This signature will serve as a pivotal case ensuring the best interests of children born here to grow up in a family here as well, while taking responsibility of the safety and human rights of internationally adopted children to show our country’s will to realign our children’s rights standard to match the global standard, herein and abroad,” said Minister Chin …

Ontario suspending DR Congo ASP licensing

May 17, 2013 pearLeave a comment

Please be advised that the Ontario Ministry’s Private and International Adoption Unit will not issue licenses under the Intercountry Adoption Act for the purposes of authorizing an agency to facilitate adoptions from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This decision is based on concerns raised within the international community dealing with intercountry adoptions. UNICEF, the United Nations High Commissioner for …

Statement on the Documentary “Stuck”

May 3, 2013 pear2 Comments

The Board of Directors of PEAR would like to express some thoughts on the recently released documentary, Stuck, which purports to be an accurate depiction of the current problems with the international adoption process. The documentary shows compelling footage of adorable children in shabby orphanages around the world, and follows the plights of three families with their international adoptions. Stuck …

DOS Adoption Notice: Bolivia/Procedural Barriers to Hague Adoptions

April 26, 2013 pearLeave a comment

Bolivia April 26, 2013 Notice: Procedural Barriers to Hague Adoptions The Office of Children’s Issues and the U.S. Embassy in La Paz have received numerous inquiries from prospective adoptive parents interested in adopting children from Bolivia. Bolivia is a Party to the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore, in order to adopt a Bolivian child, prospective adoptive parents are required to work …