NCFA Media : Press Releases

Romanian Extension of Ban on Intercountry Adoption Harmful to Children

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
Lee Allen
(703) 535-1919
Mobile (24/7): 301-693-6513
FAX: 703-535-1901
Email: lallen@infantadopt.org

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, May 23, 2003 - "It has been a bad week for intercountry adoption, and more poignantly, for Romanian and Chinese orphans waiting to be adopted," said Thomas Atwood, president of the National Council For Adoption (NCFA).

China’s suspension of adoptions will hopefully be short-lived, as the SARS crisis dissipates and parents matched with children persist in their efforts to unite with their children. But "Romania’s two-year suspension has already gone on too long, and the government’s decision to extend the ban yet again is unconscionable. Children are languishing in institutional care while prospective parents in the U.S. and around the world are longing to provide them loving homes. In some Romanian orphanages, children are sleeping two to a bed," Atwood said.

A major part of the problem is the European Union (EU). In the name of "child protection," the EU required the suspension of adoptions and the implementation of restrictive intercountry adoption policies, in order to consider Romania’s admission into the EU. Romania has spent the better part of two years trying to please the EU with its legislative package on child protection. But the EU is still not satisfied, and Romania has extended the ban yet again, beyond the most recent deadline of June 1, 2003.

NCFA’s International Committee Chairman James Savley of Small World Adoption Programs commented, "The great shame on the EU and Romania is that the ones who are hurt the most in this situation are those who can defend themselves the least - the Romanian children, growing older in orphanages, without knowing the wonderful life a family could bring them." Romanian orphans who could be thriving in loving families are trapped in overcrowded orphanages, and Romania still has not been accepted as a member of the EU.

In the six years prior to the suspension, Romania ranked fifth or sixth among the leading countries in the number of children adopted by U.S. parents, averaging about 730 children per year. "Thousands of children in Romanian orphanages are languishing needlessly, while prospective parents around the world would love to adopt them," Atwood continued. "In the interests of the children, it’s time for Bucharest to stop buckling under EU pressure and let the Romanian orphans be adopted. Let them join their loving, forever families."

About NCFA

Since 1980, the NCFA has been a leading voice among national child adoption and welfare organizations. NCFA is a research, education, and advocacy nonprofit that provides adoption information, promotes ethical adoption practices, works to shape public policy and legislation regarding adoption issues, and serves as a continuing resource to women with unplanned pregnancies, adoptive families, and those seeking to adopt.

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