Parent Power Works in Washington, Page 2

International Social Service

International Social Service (ISS) is a Geneva, Switzerland-based non-governmental organization (NGO) that takes a stand on international adoption that some interpret as being in conflict with the best interests of children in need of permanent families. ISS operates a clearinghouse called the "International Resource Centre for the Protection of Children in Adoption" (IRC) which publishes news bulletins. Here's what ISS/IRC said in its January 2002 bulletin number 43:

"Is there no risk of infringing the rules laid down and the established ethics if politics intervene? Let us remember the objective of 'settling' half the 1400 French cases pending in Vietnam by the summer of 2001."

ISS/IRC is no less harsh in respect to another European Union country:

"In Belgium, pressure from prospective adoption families has gained support from certain political factions favouring the claim of families for 'the right to adopt'. The recent draft legislation thereon is worrying for the protection of children."

Even the Netherlands, home of The Hague and the Convention on Intercountry Adoption, comes in for criticism from ISS/IRC:

"In the Netherlands, family associations manifested against the suspension of adoptions from Guatemala when two damming [sic] reports raised serious issues concerning the reliability of adoptions in that country."

Previous Page Next Page

for California

Add Your Comments!

We want to know what you think. Your comments are important to us and the other readers. You are what makes this site special.