Haiti: Dramatic Drop in International Adoption

“As a prelude to the celebration of the national day of the Haitian child that is celebrated every second Sunday of June, according to the law of June 2, 1960, during the 44th Conference of “Monday of the Press” Mrs. Arielle Jeanty Villedrouin, Director General of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (IBESR) gave an update on the process of adoption of a child in Haiti and presented the activities planned to mark the national day of the Haitian child.

Villedrouin recalled that the IBESR had made a real reform in 2012 to regulate the adoption of Haitian children in the country, which was characterized by practices too often questionable. Through this reform, the IBESR established standards and criteria for international and national adoption in the country, which led to a considerable drop in international adoption, from 1,300 to 400 children per year.

Pointing out “Thanks to this reform, all international adoption has become plenary, while national adoption can be simple or plenary. This in the interest of privileging the best interests of the child and the consent of the parents.” The Director Villedrouin appealed to a citizen implication for the respect of the rights of the children and invites the parents to avoid an uncontrollable number of children, one of the factors causing juvenile delinquency.

Emergency numbers (133, 511 and 188) are available to receive complaints about violations of children’s rights, especially those who are domesticated.

In keeping with the rights of children, IBESR has set up a quality evaluation mechanism for “children’s homes”, which has already contributed to the closure of 160 orphanages. A further 400 that do not meet established standards of care are on the closure list. Mrs. Villedrouin pleads in favor of foster homes instead of orphanages announced that the Government is currently working to establish a reception center in each department of the country to facilitate the care of children in need and avoid their migration to the capital.

“Konte m tankou tout sitwayen” is the theme chosen for the celebration of the national day of the Haitian child. On the program: football tournaments, children’s parades and talks in schools are just some of the activities scheduled for a whole week, across the country’s 10 departments.”

Haiti – Socia : Dramatic drop in international adoption

[Haiti Libre 6/5/18]

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