Procedures and supervision for adoption abroad will be improved / Article / LSM.lv

The responsible commission of the Saeima agreed to improve the procedure for adoption of Latvian children abroad and post-adoption supervision. Until now, Latvia has received very scant information about children adopted abroad. MEPs have also agreed to temporarily ban the adoption of children abroad until the laws are fully in place. However, this does not affect children whose adoption processes have already begun.

IN SHORT:

• The Saeima commission agreed to improve the procedures for adoption abroad, as well as supervision.
• The commission agreed to temporarily ban adoption abroad until the laws were in place.
• Some politicians are calling for a ban on adopting children abroad.
• Others point out that adoption abroad is opaque.
• In the future, each case is planned to be evaluated by a special Foreign Adoption Council.
• The Council would be attended by the Ministry, orphans’ courts, the Ombudsman’s Office, non-governmental organizations.
• Petraviča promises to take a closer look at the fate of children abroad.
• Adoption processes for children that have already begun will be able to be completed.

The Saeima began to discuss the process and manner of adoption of Latvian children abroad at the very beginning of this year. Opinions differ on whether to ban the adoption of Latvian children abroad altogether, but almost all deputies agree that there are things that need to be improved.

Until now, the issue of foreign adoption has polarized society and political forces in two parts. Some argue that life abroad is better and that the future does not bode well for these children. For example, MP Inese Ikstena from “For Development / About!” at its commission meeting on Wednesday, 9 September, called for the decision previously temporarily suspend adoption abroad.

“We have also written in law that this is only a last resort, and there is no plan to adopt children only abroad, but we must remember that more than 500 children in orphanages are waiting for such an opportunity. Unfortunately, this proposal was currently rejected, “said the deputy.

Meanwhile, proponents of the second point of view point to the opacity of foreign adoption and whether leaving Latvia is always in the best interests of the child. In the past, when researching these issues, social media have reported that special foreign adoption agencies and orphans’ courts now play an important role in foreign adoption, and it is sometimes easier to agree to adoption abroad than to actively seek a home for a child or teenager here. , In Latvia.

“I don’t know anyone who says he wants anything else. Everyone is talking about the best interests of children, but the problem is that we have disagreements all the time, and we probably understand that differently.

To put it bluntly, I do not understand its resistance, and some would like its uncertainty to remain, “said Andrejs Judins, a deputy of the Saeima’s Commission for Human Rights and Public Affairs (” New Unity “).

In the future, it is planned to evaluate each case in a special Foreign Adoption Advisory Council, which would be attended by all parties, from the Ministry to orphans’ courts, the ombudsman, non-governmental organizations.

Minister of Welfare Ramona Petraviča (“KPV LV”), who herself does not support the ban on adoption, promises to take a closer look at the fate of children abroad. Information about the child’s life was now received two years after the child went to the new family, and will be required until the child reaches the age of majority.

“Twice a year for the first two years. And once a year, make video calls to see how the child is doing, ”the Minister said about the planned procedure.

Currently, the Saeima has agreed to prohibit the adoption of children until the necessary changes in the laws come into force.

“We are really trying to discipline and we are trying. And basically go behind the Ministry of Welfare with some kind of whip and say – start working! Therefore, these deadlines have already been set. Not because we wanted it to. Because – if there are no deadlines, then officials do not work. That is my personal opinion. Sit down, two! ” The performance of the Ministry was assessed by the Chairman of the Saeima Commission for Human Rights and Public Affairs Artuss Kaimiņš.

In turn, the adoption processes of children that have already begun will be able to be completed.

CONTEXT:

Definitely in October 2018 restrictions, which does not allow foreign adopters to adopt children from foster families, unless the foreign adopter is a relative of the child. Later in charge of the field the Minister acknowledgedthat the restriction on the adoption of children abroad can be circumvented.

Prosperity the ministry had previously estimatedthat half of the children who were adopted abroad were from foster families, the other half – from institutions. In 2017, 62 children were adopted abroad, in 2018 – about 40.

Also, two years ago, the Ministry of Welfare announced that in 2021, the last care center in Latvia will close its doors. But well the Ministry recognizesthat in the near future it will not be possible to say that no child is in care.

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