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Senate Passes Landrieu Resolution on Romanian Adoption Policy

Senate Passes Landrieu Resolution on Romanian Adoption Policy

Senate resolution urges Romania to reinstate international adoption.

August 2, 2006

WASHINGTON — The Senate unanimously last week passed, S. Res. 359, a resolution sponsored by United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., that sends a strong message to Romanian President Traian Basescu that Romania should decrease barriers to adoption, both domestic and international, thus improving the well-being of their children.

"My hope is that the U.S. Senate's unanimous support for this resolution will encourage Romania to get rid of its law prohibiting international adoption," said Sen. Landrieu, co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. "Tens of thousands of Romanian children today remain without permanent families when Americans and Europeans are willing to give these children safe homes."

A billion dollars of exports of Children (Social)

A billion dollars of exports of Children (Social)


         The old system of international adoption, practiced until 2004, has put more than one billion euros in the pockets of those who brokered the departure of Romanian children abroad.

Nearly 30,000 Romanian children were adopted internationally in 1990 till the end of 2004, when the new legislation came into force on the legal status of adoptions, which ended the "export" of children. Figure, detected Theodora Bertzi, head of the Romanian Office for Adoptions (ORA), was first circulated by sociologist Alin Teodorescu, according to a study in 2003. "If from 1997 until 2002, after the establishment of the moratorium were made for acts of international adoptions 10,000 children, the figure of 30,000 seems excessive for the period 1990-2004," said Bertzi.

$ 30,000 for a child

In addition, says boss TIME, Romanian NGOs were funded outside the families could receive children for international adoption, money that would have invested in programs in Romania. Besides these sums, the families gave foreign NGOs, the local partner, amounts between 30,000 and 50,000 euros, to adopt a Romanian child, said Bertzi. A simple calculation shows that Romanian children in these years has paid at least one billion euros.

Diana Nistorescu, executive director of the Federation of NGOs Active in Child Protection (FONPC), said that NGOs had money outside "afford to pay the fees of Child Protection which had priority in obtaining permits, benefiting ".

She added that "the old system was corrupt from the highest level until the last maternity, but was anyone punished. Bogdan Panait, chairman of the Authority for Child Protection (ANPDC) says that "most of the amounts taken for Romanian children remained abroad, where they were used including the election campaigns of politicians who supported the international adoptions.

Take the signature

Secretary of State TIME explain the large number of children who went to a foreign family in very simple ways of making adoptions, but also by the existence of trafficking networks. "Before 1997, adoption is made at the village hall. Came mother, the sign that he put the baby for adoption, the adoptive family and then sign for delivery. The transaction is easy, and the child had as a commodity," according Theodora Bertzi. The trafficking of children, reported both by the European community as well as by representatives of NGOs and of those who deal with child protection, is now in a process of "sleep, awaiting unlock international adoptions, the representative added TIME.

Nepotism between NGOs and state

Before the moratorium established in 2001, which provisionally closed valve adoptiior international Romanian laws "is clear connection between children and money, which led to the corruption of the system," said Bertzi. It maintains that there were several methods used for child trafficking clear violation of international law and signed by Romania.

One of these was the creation of a national network based on nepotism, between representatives of state institutions who were in the care of children and NGOs allowed to do international adoptions. "I found the bosses, who were at the Bureau of Adoptions, whose daughter was a lawyer and a company working on adoptions. So here is how the information flow. Or a director of swing, or was swing, whose face had a foundation in Contact other foundation outside, all the lawyer girl. She clearly knew where the children are the families who came and brought him there. The moment had families who wanted a child, it was made immediately adoptable. These were not in law incompatibilities, but they exist. For it could not have been punished, "says Bertzi.

Mothers, cheated the state and lawyers

Another method of obtaining a Romanian child was subverting systematic mothers, especially after 1997. First, lawyers interested NGOs to persuade the mothers, usually poor, as it is better for children to be raised several years of rich families abroad. Finally, mothers signed a notarial act in which he agreed to give families of children abroad, not knowing but that the separation was final, said Bertzi.

Simultaneously, social workers tried to separate the child from the mother and the staff was the cradle where the child is placed in the Register or the mother's family visits. So, by law, if a child appears obvious that was not visited by his family for more than six months, he became adoptable. Before 1997, the network traffic was in maternity and pediatric sections. "If you have information? Medical staff working there. Absolutely no remuneration for the job. It's hard to prove, that none of the parties would have any interest to say that he gave / give or take money," said head TIME.

Theodora Bertzi show that in May began receiving complaints from mothers tricked in the past, which now require children to be given back, but authorities can not do anything for them.

Traffic valve was closed

Romanian authorities say now in Romania, there was no framework that would allow such type of trafficking in children. "No can do traffic now. There is a clear procedure is that the new law who connects the hands," said Theodora Bertzi. Opinion shared by Secretary of State Bogdan Panait: "The law has cut much slack. We did not have signs that they would such things happen, plus corrupt foundations no longer permit or no longer object of now ". Diana Nistorescu from FONPC said: "I think it's very hard to steal the children of maternity or no network traffic. Such information usually sweating, being involved large sums of money".


Source: Newspapers 

http://www.presa-zilei.ro/stire/3692/export-copii.html

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Un miliard de dolari din exportul de copii (Social)


        Vechiul sistem de adoptie internationala, practicat pina in 2004, a bagat peste un miliard de euro in buzunarele celor care au intermediat plecarea copiilor romani in tari straine.

Aproape 30.000 de copii romani au fost adoptati international din 1990 pina la sfirsitul lui 2004, cind a intrat in vigoare noua legislatie privind regimul juridic al adoptiilor, care a pus punct "exporturilor" de copii. Cifra, semnalata de Theodora Bertzi, seful Oficiului Roman pentru Adoptii (ORA), a fost pentru prima data vehiculata de sociologul Alin Teodorescu, pe baza unui studiu din 2003. "Daca din 1997 pina in 2002, dupa instaurarea moratoriului, au fost facute acte de adoptie internationala pentru 10.000 de copii, cifra de 30.000 nu pare exagerata pentru perioada 1990-2004", a declarat Bertzi.

30.000 de dolari pentru un copil

In plus, spune seful ORA, ONG-urile romanesti erau finantate de familiile din afara ca sa poata primi copii spre adoptie internationala, bani care ar fi trebuit investiti in programe in Romania. Pe linga aceste sume, familiile dadeau ONG-urilor straine, partenere ale celor autohtone, sume cuprinse intre 30.000 si 50.000 de euro, pentru a adopta un copil roman, afirma Bertzi. Un simplu calcul arata ca pentru copiii romani s-a platit in acesti ani minimum un miliard de euro.

Diana Nistorescu, director executiv al Federatiei ONG-urilor Active in Protectia Copilului (FONPC), spune ca ONG-urile care aveau acesti bani din afara "isi permiteau sa plateasca taxe celor de la Protectia Copilului prin care aveau prioritate la obtinerea autorizatiilor, fiind favorizati".

Ea a adaugat ca "vechiul sistem a fost corupt, de la cel mai inalt nivel pina la ultima maternitate, insa nu a fost nimeni pedepsit". Bogdan Panait, presedintele Autoritatii pentru Protectia Copilului (ANPDC) spune ca "majoritatea sumelor luate pentru copiii romani ramineau in strainatate, unde erau folosite inclusiv in campaniile electorale ale politicienilor care sustineau adoptiile internationale".

Luati pe semnatura

Secretarul de stat ORA explica numarul mare de copii care au mers la o familie straina prin modalitatile foarte simple prin care se faceau adoptiile, dar si prin existenta retelelor de trafic. "Inainte de 1997, adoptia se facea la primaria de comuna. Venea mama copilului, care semna ca isi da copilul spre adoptie, apoi semna si familia adoptatoare de luare in primire. Tranzactia se facea usor, iar copilul ajunsese ca o marfa", potrivit Theodorei Bertzi. Sistemul de traficare a copiilor, semnalat atit de comunitatea europeana, cit si de reprezentantii ONG-urilor si ai celor care se ocupa de protectia copilului, se afla acum intr-un proces de "adormire", in asteptarea deblocarii adoptiilor internationale, a adaugat reprezentantul ORA.

Nepotism intre ONG-uri si stat

Inainte de moratoriul instaurat in 2001, prin care se inchidea provizoriu supapa adoptiior internationale, legislatia romana "facea clar legatura intre copii si bani, care au dus la coruperea sistemului", spune Bertzi. Ea sustine ca au fost mai multe metode folosite pentru traficul de copii, incalcari clare ale legislatiilor internationale semnate si de Romania.

Una dintre acestea a fost crearea unei retele interne, bazate pe nepotism, intre reprezentantii institutiilor statului care aveau in grija copiii si ONG-urile autorizate sa faca adoptii internationale. "Am aflat de sefi, care erau la Biroul de Adoptii, a caror fiica era avocat si lucra la o firma de adoptii. Deci iata cum circula informatia. Sau o directoare de leagan, sau fost leagan, a carei fata avea o fundatie, in legatura cu alta fundatie din afara, tot avocata fata. Ea stia clar unde, care sint copiii, familiile care veneau si ii aduceau acolo. In momentul in care aveau familii care doreau un copil, imediat acesta era facut adoptabil. Astea nu erau in lege incompatibilitati, dar ele existau. De asta nici nu puteau fi pedepsite", povesteste Bertzi.

Mamele, pacalite de stat si de avocati

O alta metoda de obtinere a unui copil roman a fost pacalirea sistematica a mamelor, in special dupa 1997. Pe de o parte, avocatii ONG-urilor interesate le convingeau pe mame, de obicei sarace, ca le e mai bine copiilor sa fie crescuti citiva ani de familii bogate din strainatate. In final, mamele semnau un act notarial prin care erau de acord sa-si dea copiii familiilor din strainatate, fara sa stie insa ca despartirea era definitiva, spune Bertzi.

Paralel, asistentii sociali incercau sa desparta copilul de mama, iar personalul leaganului unde era plasat copilul nu trecea in registru vizitele rudelor sau ale mamei. Astfel ca, potrivit legii, daca un copil aparea in evidente ca nu a fost vizitat de familia sa timp de mai mult de sase luni, el devenea adoptabil. Inainte de 1997, reteaua de trafic era in maternitati sau sectiile de pediatrie. "Cine avea informatiile? Personalul medical care lucra acolo. Categoric exista o remuneratie pentru treaba asta. E greu de dovedit, pentru ca nici una dintre parti nu ar avea vreun interes sa spuna ca a dat/da sau a luat bani", spune seful ORA.

Theodora Bertzi mai arata ca a inceput sa primeasca plingeri de la mamele pacalite in trecut, care cer acum sa li se dea copiii inapoi, dar autoritatile nu mai pot face nimic pentru acestea.

Supapa traficului a fost inchisa

Autoritatile romane sustin ca acum, in Romania, nu mai exista cadrul care sa permita un asemenea tip de trafic de copii. "Nu se mai poate face trafic acum. Exista o procedura clara, este legea asta noua care ii leaga de miini", spune Theodora Bertzi. Parere impartasita si de secretarul de stat Bogdan Panait: "Legea le-a taiat mult din elan. Noi nu am avut semne ca s-ar mai intimpla astfel de lucruri, plus ca fundatiile corupte nu mai au autorizatie sau nu mai au obiect de activitate acum". Diana Nistorescu de la FONPC spune: "Imi e foarte greu sa cred ca se fura copii din maternitati sau ca exista retele de trafic. Astfel de informatii transpira de obicei, fiind vorba despre sume mari de bani".


Sursa: Cotidianul

 http://www.presa-zilei.ro/stire/3692/export-copii.html 


Criticata de colegi - "Emma nu mai are legitimitate"

Criticata de colegi - "Emma nu mai are legitimitate"

Adoptiile copiilor romani au reusit sa puna pe jar relatiile europarlamentarilor liberali. Ei recurg la replici dure catre baroneasa Nicholson, pe care o acuza ca a reusit sa forteze mana Guvernului roman sa puna capat adoptiilor.

de Maria Toader

27/07/2006 (Actualizat 7:00) 16 vizite

Imprim?

Press Room » Press Notices » 19 July 2006 - Visit to Germany

Press Room » Press Notices » 19 July 2006 - Visit to Germany

On Thursday, 20 July, Integration Minister Anca Daniela BOAGIU will make a visit to Germany, to have talks with her Bavarian counterpart, Emilia MÜLER, Minister for Federal and European Affairs of the Bavarian Government.

During the visit, Minister Anca Daniela BOAGIU will also meet with Alois GLUCK and Barbara STAMM, President and, respectively, Vice President of the Landtag.

The aim of this visit is to present the most recent progresses achieved by Romania in its preparation for accession, to offer the German authorities arguments to finalise the ratification of the Treaty of Accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union.

FOREIGN CITIZENS ADOPTED 44 CHILDREN FROM ARMENIA IN 2005

2006-07-11

FOREIGN CITIZENS ADOPTED 44 CHILDREN FROM ARMENIA IN 2005

Yerevan, Julky 11. ArmInfo. Forty-four children from Armenia were adopted by foreign citizens in 2005, Armenian Justice Minister David Haroutiunyan told ArmInfo. He said foreign citizens adopt about 40-50 Armenian children yearly in average. 75% of foreign citizens adopting children from Armenia are Armenians residing in the USA, France, Italy, Russia and other countries. Of course, tragic cases cannot be overseen, however, the government carefully studies the financial and social state of parents. Psychologists work with them for a long time to find out how the new family will perceive a new child, the minister said. Presenting an International Convention on protection of children's rights when adopted by foreign citizens at the Constitutional Court of Armenia, Minister Haroutiunyan said the document, which was signed on 29 May 1993 in Hague, aims to create mechanisms guaranteeing protection of children in case of their adoption by foreign citizens. Among the commitments Armenia undertook when signing the document is establishment of a consultative body regulating the adoption process. To note, Armenia joined the Convention with a reservation related Article 22: adoption of children by foreign citizens must meet the Armenian legislation and not the provisions of the Convention. To come into effect, the document requires ratification by the Armenian National Assembly.

Adoption fraud

[This is a rough translation of the original German text]

Trafficking in babies

Kerstin Schneider and Birgit Huonker

The adoption agency ICCO from Hamburg is being accused of fraud and child trafficking - babies "like product catalog" have been offered. The association's founder denies any wrongdoing.

The CID moved on with 20 men. Twice the police searched an apartment, a law firm and an office in downtown Hamburg with a posh address on the Neuen Wall. Amidst designer stores such as Escada and Louis Vuitton conveys the International Child Care Organization (ICCO) - a club that is recognized as a nonprofit - at the luxury shopping street children from the Third World for adoption to Germany.

Pétition en faveur des familles victimes du moratoire roumain sur les

EUROPE

Pétition en faveur des familles victimes du moratoire roumain sur les adoptions

Plusieurs eurodéputés, emmenés par les Français Claire Gibault et Jean-Marie Cavada (démocrates libéraux), ont lancé une pétition dans laquelle ils demandent que les autorités roumaines reviennent sur les refus qu'elles ont opposés à quelque 1 000 familles.

Par Rafaële Rivais Publié le 04 juillet 2006 à 13h57 - Mis à jour le 04 juillet 2006 à 13h57

La question de l'adoption internationale en Roumanie donne lieu à une douloureuse bataille au Parlement européen. Plusieurs eurodéputés, emmenés par les Français Claire Gibault et Jean-Marie Cavada (démocrates libéraux), ont lancé une pétition dans laquelle ils demandent que les autorités roumaines reviennent sur les refus qu'elles ont opposés à quelque 1 000 familles qui auraient été, disent-ils, surprises par le moratoire sur les adoptions, entré en vigueur en octobre 2001. Ils espèrent recueillir avant le 6 juillet les 367 signatures nécessaires pour que cette pétition engage le Parlement.

Illegaler Handel mit Babys

Illegaler Handel mit Babys

von Kerstin Schneider

05.07.2006, 12:25 Uhr

Der Adoptionsvermittlung ICCO aus Hamburg wird Untreue und Kinderhandel vorgeworfen - Babys sollen "wie Katalogware" angeboten worden sein. Die Vereinsgründerin streitet jegliche Schuld ab.

Von Kerstin Schneider und Birgit Huonker

Pétition en faveur des familles victimes du moratoire roumain sur les adoptions

Pétition en faveur des familles victimes du moratoire roumain sur les adoptions

Plusieurs eurodéputés, emmenés par les Français Claire Gibault et Jean-Marie Cavada (démocrates libéraux), ont lancé une pétition dans laquelle ils demandent que les autorités roumaines reviennent sur les refus qu'elles ont opposés à quelque 1 000 familles.

Par Rafaële Rivais

Publié le 04 juillet 2006 à 13h57, mis à jour le 04 juillet 2006 à 13h57

Temps deLecture 3 min.

Petition in favor of families victims of the Romanian moratorium on adoptions

Several MEPs, led by the French Claire Gibault and Jean-Marie Cavada (liberal democrats), have launched a petition in which they demand that the Romanian authorities reconsider the refusals they have opposed to some 1,000 families.

 

The question of international adoption in Romania gives rise to a painful battle in the European Parliament. Several MEPs, led by the French Claire Gibault and Jean-Marie Cavada (liberal democrats), have launched a petition in which they demand that the Romanian authorities reconsider the refusals they have opposed to some 1,000 families who would have been, say they, surprised by the moratorium on adoptions, which entered into force in October 2001. They hope to collect before July 6 the 367 signatures necessary for this petition to bind Parliament.

Mrs. Gibault , who specifies that she is "adoptive mother of two Togolese children" , is sorry for the fate of Romanian children who are victims of the moratorium on adoptions, when they have "established emotional relationships" with their future parents: "They must feel abandoned a second time!" , exclaims the conductor. "How are they going to rebuild themselves after such a trauma?" The Romanian authorities claim to have accepted all adoption applications (1,003) submitted before the entry into force of the moratorium and then rejected those made after. These requests concern, according to them, 1,092 children, with whom certain families have come into contact,

Christine and Alain Roques are among the couples who have been refused and do not understand why. "We applied in February 2001, but we weren't offered to meet two children until November 2003!" , says Mr. Roques. They were two brothers, Marin and Catalin, then aged 7 and 5, who lived in an orphanage. The Romanian Office for adoptions assures that it was not the authorities, but a private association which presented these two little boys to them, when it had no right to do so, since the moratorium was running. The Office is unable to say how this association was able to open the doors of the orphanage, where the couple from Aveyron went"every two months, for four days each time, with a translator" . Mrs. Roques regrets that the two children "with whom emotional ties have been established" , are now placed in a foster family.