Nicaragua Media Reports Allege Irregularities in Nicaraguan Adoption Procedures Updated

The State Department issued a notice with that title on May 26, 2016. You can see it here and is pasted below.

“The Department of State is aware of recent Nicaragua media reports alleging inconsistencies in Nicaraguan procedures for finding children eligible for intercountry adoption. Prospective adoptive parents and adoption service providers should be aware that the Government of Nicaragua’s efforts to investigate these allegations may result in delays in Nicaragua’s adoption process.

The Department seeks to ensure that all adoptions or grants of legal custody in Nicaragua by U.S. citizens are carried out in an ethical and transparent manner, in accordance with Nicaraguan law, and are in the best interests of the child.

Nicaraguan children who were adopted by, or are in the process of being adopted by, U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa only after completing the adoption process in the Nicaraguan courts. We encourage all individuals involved in the Nicaraguan adoption process to follow Nicaraguan laws and procedures.

Please continue to monitor travel.state.gov for updated information on adoption in Nicaragua. ”

March 2016 Article

We found this article, More allegations of illegal adoption in Nicaragua, google-translated below:

“A real drama face two young mothers who claim return them to the care of their young children, who several months ago they were removed and sent to protection centers especially officials from the Ministry of the Family (Mifamilia) apparently through an abnormal procedure . In both cases they suspect that the purpose is to give their children up for adoption to foreigners.One of the cases that transpired this weekend is that of Jennifer Tatiana Zeledón Rizo (18), originally from Esteli, who for four months touches the doors of the Ministry of the Family (Mifamilia) for the return of her baby seven months was taken from him

It is recalled that the press has sought Mifamilia version in Managua and in departments where there have been known cases of alleged illegal adoption, but neither the head of that institution or another official have provided explanations of what is happening.Zeledón he told reporters in Managua, during the third month of pregnancy she asked for help to Mifamilia to bring to fruition her pregnancy because she had been abandoned by the father of her son and chose not to ask for the help of his mother. The institution supported and held in the hostel known as Casa Alianza, located in the capital.

When delivery time came, the August 4, 2015, Zeledón was carried Alliance House Bertha Calderon Hospital where she gave birth. However, only one month was beside his son Jocksan Gabriel Zeledón, because officials of Mifamilia they took him because she had symptoms of postpartum depression, so they explained it had to be separated from the baby for three months.Two months after being separated from her baby, returned home Zeledón shelter to reclaim his son, but gave no details. And Mifamilia no longer wanted to attend, as he said.

GRANDMOTHER wanted NIETO

María Elena Rizo, mom Zeledon, said two officials Mifamilia sometimes came to her home in Esteli, who asked if he wanted to stay with her grandson and she always told them he was himself ready to support her daughter, like girl brothers.After those two visits did not return more.The baby’s grandmother expressed her fear of losing her grandson because Mifamilia also an officer reportedly told the child to give up for adoption.Rizo said they have already references the case of Jocksan Gabriel supposedly was also forwarded to the Family Court in Jinotepe, Carazo, which aims to declare abandoned to give to an Austrian couple.Zeledón asked for help to the Public Defender’s court Esteli because they spent more than five months and not give reason for his son Jocksan Gabriel, who was also his father wants to help and maintain, which is accompanying them to recover the child.PRESS sought the release of the head of the Public Defender of Esteli, Eliot Chavez, to the progress of the case but was informed that he was out of town, however, a source of the institution said they have tried to obtain data Mifamilia and neither have wanted to receive.Alberto Rosales, legal adviser to the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh) in Esteli, said Mifamilia violated all administrative processes, the Family Code and the sameConstitution of Nicaragua to reach separate children from the family by the irregular adoption.He considered, inclusive, which may be presumed criminal acts against officials who are behind these practices, which should be investigated.

ANOTHER CASE SUSPECT IN MANAGUA

Another case is that of Sidney Romero, 21, who lives in Managua and with concern sees how time and does not know what happened to her one year old girl, Stefani Ester Aragón Romero, who on October 25 last year you was removed by an official of the Commissariat for Women, District One Police, under the allegation that he was neglected.Romero explains that raised a problem with the person who rented a room was taken to the police, so she left with her child in her arms as she was. Already in the delegation, the Commissioner referred to a protection center Stefani. The girl was detained for four days. When he left the delegation sought his child whom only the left see on 5 November. After that you have been denied her.Romero said she went to the School of Values, as they sent the authorities Mifamilia, and at the end of the course last February, says it was to inform the official Mifamilia who knows his case, but this surprised her when said blunt: “That will not help you”.The girl criticized the officer has assumed that “I was not able to have my daughter” since the official said that in addition he argued that mistreating the child. In all this, Romero noted an abnormal procedure, since last February officials Mifamilia went to the home of his mother and also took his eldest 4 year old girl, Sandra Sofia Romero Cruz, who was under the care of mom the young mother.“She (the official) is against me,” said the girl who recognizes that previously led a disorderly life, but also claims in his favor that his daughters has rectified and the authorities do not listen.

YOUR FEARS ARE GIVEN IN GIRLS ADOPTION

Romero fears that her children are given up for adoption because “it (the official) sang me (said) that I can not have girls and none of my family … one look at me that I’m fighting for them.”Concern increases with what they have said they will provide public advice, that if she decides to pursue the case through the courts, “these cases are not resolved here (in Managua), but in Matagalpa and Jinotega”.“For me this case is in Managua, look, I would have asked friends of mine who are lawyers and tell me that the judge determines that. Why she is traveling to Jinotega, if she is not Jinotega? “He asks Alex meanwhile Vladimir Pichinte, who supports young to have work and an economic condition to answer for their daughters.Pichinte argues that according to lawyers consulted by them only if a case occurs in a department “and is very special” is when the authorities moved to Managua.Pichinte and his wife Romero support because they have economic conditions and thus did see Mifamilia authorities, who were told that they were willing to take responsibility for the girl and one year old girl, but authorities would not listen.

PREVAIL TO CHILD’S BEST INTERESTS

The lawyer Ramon Eugenio Rodríguez, an expert in human rights protection, recalled that adoption is the last measure that should determine the administrative or judicial authorities. “You should always prevail interests of the child and adolescent”: “That means listening to the biological father, the mother and other ancestors,” Rodriguez, who said said.Rodriguez noted that Article 22 of the Code of Childhood is key to indicate that in any case the lack of material resources of the parents or guardians will cause to declare the suspension or loss of parental relationships and guardianship of children. Rodriguez also mentioned that child is in favor of Article 21 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that the State should oversee that the judicial administrative process leading to adoption, must have all the relevant observations.The Convention child is recognized in the Constitution of the Republic through Article 71 of the same.”

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:A DOS alert was issued on July 8, 2016 here:

“Alert: Changes in Nicaragua’s Adoption Process