DoS Alert on Uzbekistan: Decree amending the Civil Procedural Code concerning Courts appointed as adoption authorities to review domestic and intercountry adoptions

July 22, 2013 In May 2013, the Government of Uzbekistan issued a decree amending the Civil Procedural Code concerning Courts appointed as adoption authorities to review domestic and intercountry adoptions.  The changes will require the judicial system of Uzbekistan to implement certain procedural steps for reviewing adoption cases.  Because the details of these changes will not be known until the …

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 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: No U.S. Adoption Service Providers Currently Authorized to Facilitate Adoptions in Nepal

July 17, 2013 The Nepali Ministry of Women and Child Social Welfare (MWCSW) informed the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu that as of July 1, 2013, no U.S. adoption service providers (ASP) are authorized to facilitate adoptions in Nepal.  According to the MWCSW, the authorization of all adoption service providers expired on December 31, 2012.  The Ministry also informed the Department …

DoS Notice: Democratic Republic of the Congo Immigration Authorities Clarify Procedures for Limited Issuance of Exit Permits

July 16,  2013 This notice updates the Department of State’s June 27, 2013, adoption alert regarding the limited resumption of exit permit issuances to adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) General Directorate of Migration (Direction Generale de Migration, DGM) informed the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa on June 17 that …

DoS Notice: Updated information on U.S.-based Hague Accredited Adoption Service Providers authorized by Mexican Central Authority

July 11, 2013 The Mexican Central Authority informed us that, in June 2013, it granted authorization to provide adoption services in Mexico to three additional U.S. based Convention accredited adoption service providers, bringing the total number of U.S. adoption service providers authorized in Mexico to six:  Across the World Adoptions Carolina Adoption Services, Inc International Child Foundation All God’s Children …

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

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 …

DoS Alert: Colombia Moratorium Update

The Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF) formally announced several important changes in Colombia’s management of intercountry adoptions. Beginning July 15, 2013, ICBF will no longer accept new intercountry adoption applications from non-Colombian citizens living abroad interested in adopting a child under 6 years and 11 months old, unless ICBF considers the child to have special characteristics or needs.  Families …

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

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 …