Adoptive parents from Nepal have put together this information, and a petition that everyone can sign. We thought this information would be helpful for you to know what is going on, and why we’re asking you to sign the petition. Please read this information, but if you don’t have time, you can also just go to the petition – see the link below (under the section called "ACTION REQUESTED"). I’ve also copied the words of the petition in another post. We just found out yesterday that the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys sent a supportive letter to the US State Department regarding Nepal adoptions and this petition. This is great news.
Adoptions from Nepal are under threat. The Hague Permanent Bureau and UNICEF have recently released problematic reports that are critical of Nepal's inter-country adoption process. The reports have called for a renewed suspension until additional reforms are in place. In response to these recommendations, and a subsequent flurry of negative press, receiving countries are monitoring Nepal's adoption program closely. At least two countries have suspended adoptions from Nepal (Sweden and Canada).
The Government of Nepal (GoN) announced the reopening of its adoption program on January 1, 2009. This reopening followed a suspension during 2007-2008, and subsequent reforms to Nepal's inter-country adoption program as articulated in the Terms and Conditions approved in 2008.
Despite these recently implemented reforms, the GoN has processed less than 5% of the more than 500 currently active, 2009 pending files since it reopened adoptions over 14 months ago.
These delays have been detrimental to the hundreds of waiting children, causing them to endure protracted and unnecessary detainment in under-resourced orphanages. The situation has also left hundreds of waiting families in limbo, without any firm information on when, or whether, their cases will be processed.
PURPOSE OF PETITION: An international group of waiting adoptive families has organized an online petition. We need your immediate assistance to:
• Urge receiving countries to maintain active Nepal adoption programs and provide assistance to the GoN to further strengthen its system as the government works towards ratification of the Hague Convention.
• Respectfully request that the GoN issue pending Travel Approvals and clear the backlog of over 500 pending 2009 files, with full urgency.
ACTION REQUESTED:
• Please support the waiting families and children by signing this petition.
• To sign go to: http://www.gopetition.com/
• Please disseminate this notice broadly and ask people to sign the petition.
• Please post a link to this petition on Facebook and other relevant sites.
WHO IS THE PETITION ADDRESSED TO?
• Countries with Nepal adoption programs
• The Government of Nepal
WHO CAN SIGN?
• Waiting prospective adoptive families
• Supporters of Nepal adoptions
(e.g., friends, family, your communities, adoption professionals, colleagues)
• This petition is open for signature by citizens of all countries.
Thank you so much for your support!
Heather
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