Right now is very turbulent time for everyone involved with Guatemalan adoptions. On a personal level, it is a time of much stress, anxiety, and conflict regarding what is happening, what should happen, and how things got to where we are.
In recent weeks I have been complimented and criticized for the things I have written. And I have discovered that both parties have to a large extent either misunderstood or selectively retained what I've been trying to say. So I'd like to set things straight:
1.) What do I think of the new law passed by Guatemala?
I think it sucks and is a travesty. As I have always said it is a cookie cutter model that has proved a failure for children in every other country that has implemented it. I do not support it and wish that everyone who was involved in pressuring the Guatemalan congress to pass it had shown more long term concern for the children who would be impacted.
2.) What do I think of UNICEF and Casa Alianza?
When it comes to adoption, I think they suck and are a travesty. Sound familiar? They have their agendas and while I do not think the people working for them realize this, their agendas are a complete tunnel vision that largely ignores the practical realities on the ground.
3.) What do I think about what’s happening now in PGN and with the CNA?
I am sad and torn. Ultimately, I don’t know what I think should be done. I believe that the Colom administration inherited a horrible situation. I do feel for them. As for whether I believe they are handling everything perfectly – of course not. Could it be done differently – of course it could. But I also do believe that steps should be taken to ensure that the children who leave were intentionally relinquished and that the birthmom has not desired to reclaim the child.
So here is my solution that hopefully someone with authority will read. As cases get approved by PGN, why not have the birthmom come down then, do her final sign off, and release the file. The Adoption Decree could be done immediately and that final sign off would be done before a government official. That seems more logical to me than having to bring the birthmom in to the city an extra time.
In conclusion, I am in no way happy about what is happening. Nor am I happy of what has caused it. I truly hope that this can all be resolved QUICKLY and that all parties will put aside their agendas and motivations and work towards mutual resolution. I am trying very hard not to take sides because to me sides are not in the best interests of the children at this point.
I once again repeat my call for anyone with the resources to research, quantitatively and qualitatively, the impact that the Hague and laws like Guatemala’s have had on innocent children. And we all must remember that this law was not the work of the Colom administration. Past corruption in PGN was not of their doing. I truly hope and pray with all my being that they have more rational minds than those of the Berger administration and get this done quickly and efficiently. Alvaro Colom is known and campaigned as a pragmatist. For many years I have interjected that pragmatic thought is needed in ICA. We can neither turn our backs to corruption and the rights of children and their biological mothers nor can we sit back idly should this situation turn out to be a witch hunt. For now we wait with fingers and toes crossed.