International Adoption News from Adoptive Families Magazine

Haiti    Six days after the earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, the U.S. Department of State began expediting pending adoption cases and allowing children to join their prospective families, in a process known as humanitarian parole. At press time, at least several hundred orphans had joined families in the U.S. Learn more about the current situation at http://www.adoption.state.gov/.

Cambodia    The government of Cambodia has a new law on intercountry adoption. The law aims to create a countrywide child welfare system and a Hague-compliant adoption process. This is seen as an important first step in reform that could eventually lay the groundwork for a resumption of intercountry adoptions from Cambodia to the U.S.

Mexico   Mexico City’s legislative assembly voted to legalize adoption by same-sex couples on Dec. 21. The same day, the assembly also approved gay marriage, making it the second major Latin-American city to do so.

Canada    According to a report released recently by Ontario’s Ministry of Children and Youth Services, families in Canada who are interested in adoption face a number of barriers that may prevent them from ever adopting. Among the findings, objective information about adoption options isn’t readily available, and adoptive families of children with special needs don’t usually get the support they need after the adoption, the report says. Read the report at www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/infertility/index.aspx.

http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/news.php

Cambodia Passes New Adoption Law

On October 23, the Cambodia National Assembly passed a law regarding intercountry adoption of the nation's children.  In the article, "Assembly passes bill on foreign adoptions," In the Phnom Penh Post, it states the new law will require prospective adoptive parents age 30- 45 to "undergo a rigorous screening before any adoption gets approval."  According to addtional news reports the law includes provisions to prevent fraud and coersion and will bring Cambodia in line with the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption guidelines.  Adoptions from Cambodia into the United States have been suspended since 2001 because of allegations of corruption and child trafficking.  To read the articles, visit
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/
From Adoption Today magazine:  http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=27850&p=

New Proposed Cambodian Law Would Resume International Adoption

From the October 2009 issue of Adoption Today magazine:

Cambodia is working to draft new international adoption regulations according to an August article in the Phnom Penh Post. The article, "Council of Ministers approves draft law to legalise, regulate international adoptions," by Vong Sokheng states the new International Adoption Law's objective to "regulate the principles, conditions, and procedures for international adoption, with the goal of guaranteeing the protection of children's rights and interests." The law is high priority according to a Cambodian Secretary of State quoted in the article. Adoptions from Cambodia were suspended in 2001, however Cambodia is a signatory of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.