Guatemala urged to act on foreign child adoption

Casa Alianza

So far this year more than 1, 400 adoptions of Guatemalan minors have been authorized.

Casa Alianza and other human rights organizations have spent almost ten years promoting the approval of legislation that will truly protect Guatemalan children.

The National General Attorney, Mario Gordillo, announced that so far this year more that 1,400 adoptions have been authorized, the majority of adoptions made by foreigners, in particular North American families.

According to information provided by the National General Attorney, last year 8,000 applications for adoption were received, of which 4,500 were authorized.

In response to this situation Casa Alianza demands that Congress passes the Adoption Law that is currently pending approval and which would protect those minors that are essentially being converted into a lucrative business.

The lack of public policies supporting the family on the part of the State of Guatemala, the fact that the country possesses one of the highest levels of fertility in Latin America, and weak legislation with regard to adoptions, have combined to convert this noble institution into a lucrative business, where children are exported from Guatemala to other countries, without analysis or vigilance to ensure their protection. At the present time, the adoption procedure in Guatemala can violate the rights of the child, but these violations can be committed within a formal framework of legality that is permitted by the fragility of the system.

The new legislation proposes improved controls within the process of adoption, to ensure that the fundamental rights of the Guatemalan child are respected, and equally that the importance of the family as a necessary base is promoted, and that adoptions are principally encouraged within Guatemalan families.

Casa Alianza supports adoption, when it is a noble institution where children will find a home in which to grow healthily, when it is always realized within a legal framework, and when it entirely guarantees the rights of children and their families.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION comunicacion2@casaalianza.org.gt