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Adoption Moratorium Lifted

Adoption Notice

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
Adoption Moratorium Lifted

February 10, 2011

Kenya and the United States are party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (“Hague”).  As such, all adoptions between Kenya and the United States initiated after April 1, 2008, must meet the requirements of the Hague Convention and its U.S. and Kenya law counterparts.  The Government of Kenya is still in the process of amending its laws to mirror the procedural requirements of the Convention.  In late 2010, Kenya adopted a new constitution and the government is currently drafting hundreds of pieces of legislation required to implement the provisions of the new constitution.  Due to this legislative back-log, legislation that will bring Kenya into full compliance with the Hague Convention may not be enacted for quite some time.  
new 
Until it is, Kenya’s Department of Children’s Services is willing to make administrative adjustments that will allow it to follow the procedural framework required by the Hague Convention.  International adoptions that meet Hague Convention requirements can now be processed in Kenya.  However, until Kenya’s international adoption laws are finalized, serious delays, expense, uncertainly, and difficulties could still arise with the Hague adoption process.  The Department of State therefore advises American citizens to proceed with caution when deciding whether or not to adopt from Kenya.

Kenya, United States of America

Madonna's adoptive daughter's family has no legal right to see her: Lawyer

Madonna's adoptive daughter's family has no legal right to see her: Lawyer

London, Feb 10 : Madonna's lawyer has said that the family of singer's
adopted daughter has no legal right to see the five-year-old.

The claim comes after James family, led by Mercy Chifundo James''
biological uncle Peter Baneti and grandmother Lucy Chekechiwa,
approached the Cicil Liberties Committee (CILIC) of leading human
rights campaigner Emmie Chanika to sue Madonna for breach of trust.

Chanika conceded no visitation rights were included in the adoption
agreement, which saw Mercy James leave Malawi for a new life with
Madonna, 52, two years ago.

She admitted there is no written agreement but insisted the family has
reasonable cause to push for the visitation.

"It was like a gentleman''s agreement," she said.

'They have a strong recollection that Ms. Madonna (sic) assured them
they would be able to see Mercy on a regular basis," she added.

Chanika said legal action would not be necessary if Madonna allows the
family to see James.

Madonna''s lawyer Alan Chinula has also denied claims that she
ever-promised regular visits.

"There was no such agreement," the Daily Mail quoted Chinula as saying.

--ANI

Madonna
ACT CASE Madonna

CICIG is the complainant in the case of illegal adoptions

CICIG is the complainant in the case of illegal adoptions
Guatemala, February 10, 2011. The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) was accepted by the Third Court of First Instance Criminal Court as a plaintiff in the case of Mario Fernando Peralta Castañeda, judge of the Children and Young Escuintla Department , accused of participating in various processes of illegal adoption.

The Supreme Court withdrew the immunity Peralta Castaneda, November 3, 2010, that he be investigated for evidence of his alleged involvement in illegal adoptions while serving as judge of the Children and Adolescents in Escuintla.

In this case also acts as accuser's mother of the children who were given up for adoption in an irregular manner, with the support of the Survivor Foundation, an institution that helped to locate the whereabouts of her daughter.

Norma Cruz, director of the organization, said that there is enough evidence against the judge to be processed, which is checked with the participation of other judicial officers in illegal adoptions. "Also involved are other judges that while they had no direct involvement, they have played a cover-up by not allowing justice to be done and helped to make these structures trafficking act with impunity," he said.

However, he expressed the hope that other judges do not engage in influence peddling, and to resolve attached to Guatemalan law, for this type of case progress in the courts.

Another case
Also, the October 6, 2010, the Supreme Court withdrew the immunity to that court for investigation for having declared abandoned two other children, despite the adoption records showed a series of irregularities.

This case is pending court to appoint the Comptroller of the investigation, that the MP initiated legal action against the judge.

 

============================================

 

CICIG es querellante en caso de adopciones ilegales

Guatemala, febrero 10 de 2011. La Comisión Internacional contra la Impunidad en Guatemala (CICIG) fue aceptada por el Juzgado Tercero de Primera Instancia Penal como querellante adhesiva en el caso de Mario Fernando Peralta Castañeda, juez de la Niñez y Adolescencia del departamento de Escuintla, sindicado de participar en varios procesos ilegales de adopción.

La Corte Suprema de Justicia retiró la inmunidad a Peralta Castañeda, el 3 de noviembre de 2010, para que se le investigue por haber indicios de su probable participación en adopciones irregulares mientras se desempeñaba como juez de la Niñez y Adolescencia en Escuintla.

En este caso también actúa como querellante adhesiva la madre de una de las menores que fueron entregadas en adopción de manera irregular, con el apoyo de la Fundación Sobrevivientes, institución que le ayudó a localizar el paradero de su hija.

Norma Cruz, directora de esta institución, manifestó que sí hay suficientes evidencias contra el juez para que sea procesado, con las cuales se comprueba la participación de otros operadores de justicia en adopciones irregulares. "También están involucrados otros jueces que si bien no tuvieron una participación directa, sí han jugado un papel de encubrimiento al no permitir que se haga justicia y han colaborado para que estas estructuras de trata de personas actúen de manera impune", aseveró.

No obstante, manifestó su esperanza de que otros juzgadores no incurran en tráfico de influencias y que resuelvan apegados a las leyes guatemaltecas, para que este tipo de casos avancen en los tribunales de justicia.

Otro caso
Asimismo, el 6 de octubre del 2010, la Corte Suprema de Justicia le retiró la inmunidad al citado juez para que sea investigado por haber declarado en abandono a otros dos niños, a pesar de que los expedientes de adopción presentaban una serie de irregularidades.

Este caso está pendiente de que se designe al Juzgado contralor de la investigación, para que el MP inicie las acciones legales contra el juez.

Guatemala
Mario Fernando Peralta Castañeda

Ethiopia Revokes License of US Adoption Agency

Ethiopia Revokes License of US Adoption Agency

February 10, 2011

Ethiopia has revoked the license of an American adoption agency, accusing it of child trafficking. The agency has responded sharply, charging it is the victim of government retaliation.

Ethiopia’s Charities and Societies Agency has notified the Minnesota-based Better Future Adoptions Services that its license to operate in the country has been revoked.

The revocation could effectively shut down the agency, which specializes in adoptions from Ethiopia.

Rehila Abbas
Better Future Adoption Services
Ethiopia

CHSFS - lies birthfamilies

just wondering...

Submitted by Sydneybookie (not verified) on February 9, 2011 - 9:01pm.

Hey guys...

I am a mom of a child by birth and two children from Ethiopia. Both times we used chsfs. (we would never again, ever btw...)

But you didn't want to hear that, here is what I am curious about:

Well, before I ask, I just want to say that both our adoptions had incorrect information about both our kids. First my son, we adopted him at the start of the ethiopia program for the agency. No info on papers except everyone died and Uncles name. My son came to us with full blown TB. Everywhere. Lungs, heart etc. He would of died in 6 months in Ethiopia. (He is better now btw) Oh, and the TB wasn't on the paperwork either :(

We decide to adopt our little girl. When we brought home our son, there was no video, birth family meeting etc. So we requested that while we were down in Hosanna could someone try to contact my son's uncle. They did. So we had my daughters birth mother to meet and my son's uncle showed up. First my daughters birth mom... she clearly had some sort of mental illness so who knows what is true on my daughters paperwork... ie: did they coerce her to give up my daugher? who knows with 2 interpreters and this is the kicker; an employee of chsfs told me and I quote, 'she is waiting for you to give her money now.' 'That is what all families have done here...' WHAT???
Now my son, the first words out of the uncles mouth was (in english as he was the village maths teacher), 'I am sorry, we lied.' He thought that if my son had any living birth parents that they wouldn't except him. He said he would like to show us my son's village. The dream of every AP right? Visit where their child was born etc. My life has never been the same from that moment we arrived in a beautiful valley near Doyo Gena. There were no less than 45 relatives to meet!!!! Birth mother, with a NEw Baby on her hip, birth sister just a few years older than my son. She looked just like him!! Uncles, aunties, even maternal grandmother and grandfather. I know my son was sick and probably would not of made it, and that is why they made that decision. (and his birth father did pass) Don't ask me where that new baby came from....

Ok ok , so this is what I am wondering:
Has anyone who has found out that their children had so much false info. and if it wasn't for IA, has anyone brought their children back to their first family??

And before you think that I would, forget it! My son is my son. There I said it. Have I thought about it? God yes. But no. He Is My Son now. I just need to say this because from everything that I have read so many parents are telling their stories. Has anyone ever done this and what was the outcome, we Never talk about that. The adults who have been adopted and don't believe in International adoption etc have they just ever gone back??

Also, in the eyes of the U.S. government, where do they stand? If we all come together to stop IA from Ethiopia and really tell them our stories, would they revoke our 'parentship' for lack of a better word and send them back??

These are honest questions from my heart that I have thought and thought about. Dani, what do you think?

Ethiopia
Children's Home Society & Family Services, Minnesota (CHSFS)

Brangelina want to adopt Haitian girl

Brangelina want to adopt Haitian girl
February 8 2011 at 12:42pm 
Copy of iol tonight pic jan 17 golden globes 10
AP
Angelina Jolie and her husband Brad Pitt, left, arrive for the Golden Globe Awards.
Angelina Jolie is reportedly set to adopt a fourth child.
The ‘Tourist’ actress wants to open up her and partner Brad Pitt’s home to a four-year-old girl called Leah who lost her entire family in the earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010.
Angelina – who already has three adopted children, Maddox, nine, Pax, seven, and Zahara, six, and naturally conceived Shiloh, four, and two-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne – first met the child in February 2010, a month after the natural disaster, and the child is expected to go visit her and Brad and their other children before the adoption is authorised in the latter stages of this year.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “Angelina’s lawyers are in the process of getting an authorisation so Leah can spend some time with her in America. That’s standard procedure, basically they need to make sure Leah will adapt well.
“A lot of observers from groups such as the Red Cross are ensuring that Angelina is treated like anybody else and not fast tracked, which would be viewed insidiously.”
There are worries adoption authorities in the small Caribbean nation may not be able to cope with the massive interest in Angelina’s plans, but the 35-year-old screen star determined to get through the “final steps” to adopt Leah.
The source added: “There is also a concern about the Haitian authorities not being able to deal with such international pressure. But for now, Angelina is almost reaching the final steps of the gruelling adoption process.
“If Leah fits well within her family in the States, she will be able to adopt her.” - Bang Showbiz
Angelina Jolie
Haiti, United States of America

BFA revoking of licence

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 8, 2011
On December 9, 2010, the Government of Ethiopia revoked the Better Futures Adoption Services’ registration to operate in Ethiopia because of the organization’s misuse of its license in activities concerning the welfare of children.
The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that prospective adoptive parents who have entered into an agreement with Better Futures Adoption Services, or who are planning to adopt through Better Futures Adoption Services, seek the advice of a legal professional.
The Embassy's Adoptions Unit can be reached at consadoptionaddis@state.gov.
Please continue to monitor http://adoption.state.gov/ for updated information as it becomes available.
Better Future Adoption Services, ACT CASE : Wereldkinderen RESEARCH ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia

Fiji - Overseas adoption query

Overseas adoption query

Elenoa Baselala
Monday, February 07, 2011

THE Government will soon work on having inter country agreements on the adoption of children.

Social Welfare permanent secretary Govind Sami said his department had received enquiries regarding the matter from other countries, particularly our metropolitan neighbours, Australia and New Zealand.

However, because of the lack of an agreement between the countries, adoption of Fijian children by foreigners had been put on hold, Mr Sami said.

The department, however, is still processing local adoptions.

Mr Sami said the process could take six to eight months before approval was given for the legal adoption of a child.

He said, potential parents would be screened and put through various checks.

Following the adoption, there is a "cooling period" before the department will check on the child and the "new" family again.

Children who come under State care usually are either abandoned, victims of abuse or have nowhere else to go, Mr Sami said.

"The recent statistics from the ministry and the police reveal that between the years 1995 to 2009 a total of 1008 cases of child neglect were reported followed by the following: 666 sexual cases, 610 physical abuse, 430 beyond control cases, 314 abandon and lost cases, 250 cases of emotional abuse.

"The cost of neglect cannot be measured in dollars. It has lifelong repercussions to an individual and society," the permanent secretary said.

Fiji, Australia, New Zealand

Mercy's Family To Sue Madonna

Mercy's Family To Sue Madonna
Press Trust of India
Sunday, February 06, 2011 (London)
  
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Madonna's adopted Malawian daughter's family is threatening to sue the 'Queen of Pop', claiming that she did not keep her promise to let them see the 5-year-old.

The family has claimed that they were guaranteed regular contact with Mercy James, when the 52-year-old adopted her from an orphanage in June 2009, reported a website.

But they have not seen her since, despite Madonna having made two return visits to Malawi with Mercy and the family have now enlisted the help of Malawi's leading civil rights group CILIC to prepare a legal case.

"I believe they have a case in law because there appears to have been a verbal contract between them and Madonna's representatives. I am preparing a letter which will appeal to Madonnas lawyer Alan Chinula to intervene on the family's behalf and ask Madonna to kindly let Mercy meet her family," said Emmie Chanika, director of CILIC.

The child, whose 16-year-old mother died five days after giving birth, was raised by her grandmother and uncles, but placed in the care of the Kondanani Children;s Village when they could no longer look after her.

Mercy's grandmother Lucy Chekechiwa, said the family always intended to bring Mercy back to live with them once she was six, when they believed her immune system would be strong enough to tackle the country's endemic diseases.

"The baby needed feeding and the orphanage offered me a wet-nurse to take care of that. We know Madonna gave a lot of money to the orphanage, and the people there persuaded us to let her have our child," said the 72-year-old.

Mercy was the second Malawian child adopted by Madonna, who has two older children from two previous relationships, 14-year-old Lourdes and Rocco, ten.

In 2008 she adopted one-year-old David Banda from an orphanage in the capital city Lilongwe. He was taken back to meet his father Yohane Banda for the first time in three years in March 2009.
Kondanani, Malawi
Madonna

Madonna could face lawsuit from Mercy's family

Madonna could face lawsuit from Mercy's family

by Candy Bellinger, Feb 6th 2011

The family of Mercy James, Madonna's adopted daughter, are reportedly considering taking legal action against the Queen of Pop.

Mercy's Malawian family claim Madge agreed that they would have regular contact with the five-year-old but have neither seen nor heard from her since the adoption in 2009.

According to the Daily Mail, the family have now turned to civil rights group CILIC for help.

Emmie Chanika, director of CILIC, told the newspaper: "Mercy's family have met me several times over the past year and they have been very upset.

"They have a strong recollection of being told that they would be able to see Mercy and have regular contact with her - and that when she is an adult she will return to live with them in Malawi."

Mercy's 16-year-old mother died soon after childbirth and she was raised by her grandmother and uncles. But when they were no longer able to look after her, she was placed in the care of the Kondanani Children's Village, from which Madge adopted the little girl.

A lawyer is now reportedly "looking into" the case and the family hope to reach a "proper agreement" with the singer.

Meanwhile Madge is also facing criticism over her plans for a girls' school in Chinkhota, Malawi.

Two years ago, the press were on hand to capture the moment the pop superstar laid a foundation brick for the facility but apparently, building work has since ground to a halt.

However, a statement posted on Madge's Raising Malawi website said: "My original vision is now on a much bigger scale. I want to reach thousands not hundreds of girls.

"I want to do more and I want to do it better."

Ben Phiro, spokesman for Malawi's Ministry of Education, told the Mail: "Madonna has said she has changed her plans and wants to build community schools instead of the academy but we know nothing about this.

"Her lawyers ought to know better."

What do you think? Should Mercy have regular contact with her Malawian family? Leave a comment below...

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Madonna's daughter Lourdes has only recently been thrust into the spotlight, but check out the other famous mothers and daughters in showbiz..

http://celebrity.aol.co.uk/2011/02/06/madonna-adoption/
Madonna
Malawi
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