[mschweber]

URL To Story: http://press.arrivenet.com/pol/article.php/632931

In Russia, Anti-Adoption Forces Exploit Child's Death to Demand Halt to International Adoptions, Says National Council for Adoption Distribution Source : U.S. Newswire

Date : Thursday - May 05, 2005

http://press.arrivenet.com/assets/img/spcr.gif

To: National Desk, International Desk

Contact: Lee Allen of the National Council for Adoption, 703-299-6633 or lallen@adoptioncouncil.org

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 5 /U.S. Newswire/ -- As the political movement in Russia intent on shutting down international adoptions of Russian-born children by American parents is now mounting its full-force attack, the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) urges President Bush to encourage Russian President Putin to serve the welfare of Russian orphans by exercising his leadership in support of international adoption.

In a letter to the White House sent today, NCFA President and CEO, Thomas Atwood reported that anti-adoption forces continue to stir up nationalistic anti-American sentiments to try to stop adoptions of Russian orphans by American parents.

Led by Duma Member Yekaterina Lakhova, the anti-adoption faction is cynically exploiting the tragic case of Alex Pavlis, a Russian-born child who died at the hands of his American adoptive mother, Irma Pavlis, in Illinois. Mrs. Pavlis was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

According to Atwood, "Among the outrageously false charges that are being spread by some irresponsible government officials such as Ms. Lakhova, and being believed by many in the Russian media and public, are accusations that large and growing numbers of American adoptive parents are murdering their Russian-born children; that they are selling the Russian-born children's organs; that babies are commonly being "sold" for 'up to $150,000'; and that Americans are adopting Russian children in order to deplete Russia's population."

Lakhova has recruited former Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and General Prosecutor Vladimir Ustinov to oppose international adoption. This week, Ustinov called for a moratorium on international adoptions, until a bilateral treaty is made. If this proposal is not over-ruled, it is likely to prevent tens of thousand of Russian children from having families. Some may even die in Russian orphanages due to lack of medical treatment they could receive in America, if they were allowed to be adopted.

Atwood continues, "Since 1991, Americans have adopted more than 43,000 Russian-born children. Estimates of the number killed by their parents during these 14 years range from 8 to 12. The death of even a single child at the hands of a parent, whether adoptive or biological, is tragic and should never happen. But should all adoptions be shut down and tens of thousands of children be deprived of families because of these extremely rare incidents? There are constructive reforms that can be made, but it is unnecessary and would be harmful to children to shut down Russia's entire international adoption program for the lengthy time it would take to make those reforms."

In 2004 more than 5,800 children from Russia became loved members of American families through adoption, with very positive outcomes. Children born in Russia and adopted by American parents live happy, healthy lives. With exceedingly rare exceptions, they thrive in their American families. In their new households, the children receive the individual attention they deserve, but cannot receive in institutionalized care. They enjoy the benefits of improved education and health care. Most importantly, they experience the love and security that come with having families of their own.

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Since 1980, NCFA has been a leading voice among national adoption and child welfare organizations. NCFA is a research, education, and advocacy nonprofit that provides adoption information, promotes ethical adoption practices, informs public policy and opinion about adoption issues, and serves as a resource for women with unplanned pregnancies, adopted persons and their families, those seeking to adopt, and adoption professionals.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

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/© 2005 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

[SingleMama2B]

Thank you for posting this!!! I'm glad they are once again trying to encourage Pres. Bush in talking with Putin. The Propaganda in Russia is amazing. While I was there, it was very noticable. It is a shame, because most of the population only receives information that is told to them (for a groups purpose), and they believe it out of fear.

[melcas]

What scares me about this articel is -does anyone know what this "moratorium on intl. adoptions" proposal is? I wonder how long before it is reviewed/voted on?

This is something that could effectively shut things down.

[Schnooks]

someone over there is on our side at least.. read the last paragraph...


RUSSIAN MP CALLS FOR TOUGHER CONTROL OVER FOREIGN ADOPTION
19:17

MOSCOW, April 18 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian government should come out with enabling legislation for tougher control over foreign adoption, MP Yekaterina Lakhova said. She chairs the Committee for Women's and Family Affairs in the State Duma, or Russia's lower house of parliament.

Lakhova's statement comes just days after a court in the United States found a U.S. national guilty of committing manslaughter of her Russian-born adoptee.

Lakhova believes that the Russian government should place a moratorium on foreign adoption until international accords in this area get harmonized. According to her, last year the Duma passed a number of by-laws relaxing adoption rules for Russian citizens. These by-laws remove some of the restrictions imposed by earlier legislation, including on wannabe adoptive parents' income levels and housing conditions. It also reduces the time taken to check up on adoptive parents' trustworthiness.

Commenting on the same tragic event, fellow MP Vladimir Pligin pointed out that "the Russian government must consider the entire set of measures to protect the interests of Russian children subjected to overseas adoption." Pligin chairs the Duma Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Development.

Duma MP Pavel Krashenninikov, by contrast, does not think there is any need to change the effective adoption law. Chair of the Duma penal, procedural and arbitration committee, Krashenninikov spoke out against giving priority to Russian adoptive parents over foreign ones. He also pointed out that Russian children adopted into the United States were under the protection of U.S. authorities.

[melcas]

Thanks for that, Scnooks! I feel a teeny bit better.
wonder if every MP has to "approve" a moratorium for it to get passed.

If these guys are on our side will that thwart this Lakhova?

[sofla1000]

This is quite disturbing, especially since we have our dossier over in Russia right now and are waiting on a referral for another daughter. I just wish they could see the little girl we adopted two summers ago from Izhevsk, Russia. She is doing so well, is very happy and well adjusted, she loves us and we love her with all our hearts. When we took her out of the orphanage, her expression, mannerisms, everything about her changed. All the children in the orphange are so sad, these children need mommas and pappas, even if they are well treated. I just wish this propoganda in the Russian media about selling adopted children, or that they are routinely harmed could be stopped. If we get back to Russia, I want to tell everyone, in the media and in politics, that they should come to America and see for themselves, and they will see thousands of happy, healthy and well adjusted children.

Jackie and Joe

[erickk]

Jackie and Joe-

I know what you mean. I felt ill when I read this. There were other posts in FRUA along this line (one from the BBC)-I just got angry when I read them. We have a 4 year old son-well adjusted, happy, very bright. His mother gave birth to him and left him at the hospital. No one ever came to visit him. He is a healthy smart boy who is the joy of our lives. It is difficult to understand all of this and gives me a headache. We love our son so much and feel the same way--please, come over, visit all the other families who have adopted who love their children and would do anything for them-and that is well over 99.99% of us. I know that all of Russia does not feel this way about IA-the people we have talked to are so happy children will have homes. I wonder when I read these things..what are their motives. Do they really believe we are all monsters? Sorry if I am starting to rant. I am angry, I am sad, I am confused and frustrated. As a Russian friend of mine has told me often "I love Russia-I love my country-but Russia, Russia does not love me." I think I understand what she means.
Karen

[Mykidsmom]

Hello,

The above article is one of the reasons that the families that have their children home MUST send in the post placement reports on time.

I do not know what the requirements for Russia, but for Ukraine it is bi-annually for 3 years with several photos and Belarus is now an annual report for 5 years with several photos.

I know for a fact the agency we used had to theaten lawsuits to get some of their families to comply.

I know I will probably get flames for this, but frankly I do not know why people will not do this
It is all part of the adoption process and it is nothing difficult and we get to brag about how well our children are doing.

[flanderz]

Don't worry about this. There is a lot of speculation and posturing going on here and not any real facts. If you are waiting to bring your child home from Russia (as we are) you can't allow yourself to worry about something that is entirely out of your control.

Russian adoption is not going to shut down. The most serious disruption to date was last winter and that was only for a few months. Obviously we can hope this doesn't happen but try to think positive.

[melcas]

Flanderz, have you ever heard that Irish expression, your lips to God's ear?!

Honestly, I am trying to think positive, but I can't sleep!

My DH and I (like all of us) have been through so much to get to this point and now we're so close!

Does anyone else who's waiting for a referral or between trips worry like this?

If so, what do you do? I try to keep busy, my project for today was delivering 25 African Violets to past clients (I'm a Realtor) for Mothers Day. That was tough!

Any suggestions welcomed!

Thanks!

[melcas]

I wanted to bump this post up again, since I would really like to hear how others handle their worries. I am going to talk to my agency today to see if the worst case scenario happens, my $$$ can be switched over to the Kaz program. I hope they will reassure me about Russia, since that is where my heart is!

Thanks for reading.

[Annabel]

melcas - yes I do worry that it won't happen for us. But I have a very busy life with work, 2 sons, and my hubbies business. time seems to fly. I had hoped for a referral, but we have one of the only regions that will not take the letter of good standing that our agency has, but wants to wait for the reaccreditation - so thats just one more thing to wait for. In the end it will be all worth it.