ALL COUNTRIES MUST EVOLVE REGULATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS-
SHRI NAGMANI
India has called
upon all countries to develop rules and regulations to prevent
international adoption from becoming a source of trafficking of
children. Inaugurating a three-day International Meet on Adoptions,
the Minster of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Nagmani
said that India has evolved a well established system regulating
such adoptions. He said that successful adoption of Indian children
abroad is an evidence of India’s inter-country successful programme.
Appreciating the theme of the Meet "Ethics in Inter-country adoptions",
Shri Nagmani said the meet assumes great importance and relevance
for all of us. He made it clear that India gives preference to
in-country adoptions. The Minister said that the number of children
being admitted to orphanages and child care institutions is growing.
He said that it is the responsibility of the government and the
NGOs operating in the field to provide them a better future.
The three- day International
Meet on Adoption is being organised by the Central Adoption Resource
Agency, CARA. Delegates from 15 countries representing the foreign
governments and adoption agencies apart from representatives of
the Government of India, State Governments, Union Territories
and Indian NGOs are participating in the Meet.
The meet assumes
importance in the light of India’s ratification of the Hague Convention
on Protection of Children and cooperation in respect of Inter-country
Adoption earlier this year. This has been done with a view to
strengthen international cooperation and protection of Indian
children placed in Inter-country adoptions. The Meet is the first
ever programme to share experiences with different receiving countries
and their Central Authorities who have either ratified or signed
Hague Convention and have adoption programmes with India.
The Meet aims to
reflect diverse interests and views, discuss and streamline country
practices & procedures of different Central Authorities and
review the trends in adoption in both International & domestic
sectors. It will also discuss legal and procedural safeguards,
as well as transparency in adoption costs etc. as prescribed in
Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption. The delegates will
have an opportunity to share their experiences in streamlining
adoption procedures.
CARA, an autonomous
body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has
given recognition to 73 Indian Placement Agencies and 252 Enlisted
Agencies including 131 government bodies in more than 25 countries,
to carry out in-country and inter-country adoption of abandoned
and orphaned children. More than 12,200 children have found homes
through recognized placement homes so far. These include over
7,200 in-country adoptions and more than 5,000 inter-country adoptions.
