Parents Deceived Over Russian Adoptions

Desperate Kiwi couples have been deceived by the National Government into believing they had a clear path to adopt children from Russia, says New Zealand First.

“The government’s delay in signing a bilateral agreement on inter-country adoption has led to a ban by Russia, ruining the hopes of many couples who want to bring a child home from a Russian orphanage,” says New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“What sort of a cruel game has the government been playing with people’s emotions when so few potential adoptees are involved?

“The government took potential parents through assessment and approval but they were never told that adoptions were not certain because the agreement had not been signed.

“Couples working through the adoption requirements, including visits to Russia to meet children, were shocked when Russia halted adoptions last year because New Zealand had not signed the agreement.

“The government must explain why it has not signed the bilateral agreement which it has had since June 2011.

“Potential adoptive parents are growing tired of the excuses, and now the Ukraine crisis has been added to a long list.

“The government must reassure couples that the agreement is being worked on and they will soon be able to conclude adoptions,” says Mr Peters.

ENDS

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