As many of you know and have been following, a new law proposal, endorsed by First Lady Wendy Berger, was presented to the Guatemalan legislature last month. As always, Guatadopt is working to provide you up-to-date information on the status of that proposal. Also as always, we would like to urge our readership to view this proposal for what it is – a proposal. This does not mean that it will be signed into law and if it was it would be challenged because of constitutional issues with some of its provisions.
Focus On Adoption has added a translation of this law proposal to their website. Special thanks goes to Chris Huber of Families Thru International Adoption for translating the bill. To read the bill, click here.
In addition, Focus On Adoption held a conference in Guatemala in January titled “In thebest interests of children: a permanent family”. The keynote speaker was Prof. Betsy Bartholet of Harvard Law School. A link to her homepage and a transcript of her speech at the conference can be found on FOA’s website. To see them, click here.
Posted by Kevin at March 9, 2005 04:30 PMI have just finished reading thru the translation of the Law. I pray that this does not become a law. I was so distressed when I read that extreme poverty is not considered a reason to place a child for adoption! My goodness - do these folks who wrote this legislation know anything about poverty? Hmmm......how many of them have adopted guatemalan children? They speak of the importance of national adoption - and yet, how many may I ask have adopted nationally?
I can only imagine what could have been the fate of our 5 guatemalan children had they not been adopted. I shudder to think.
As always it appears that worldwide, lawmakers and policy makers tend to be out of sync and out of touch with the reality of living day to day without the most basic of needs met.
I pray that this does not become law in guatemala. It is deeply concerning to me what the implications would mean for the children ~ for infinitely it is alawys the precious children who pay the price.
Sincerely,
Gloria Vazquez-Pickering
Issaquah, Wa.
Blessed mama to 5 beautiful guatemalan children
I just finshed reading Prof. Bartholet's remarks she presented on Intercountry Adoption at the Focus on Adoption conference held recently in Guatemala. I particulary appreciated her comments in regards that Guatemala should take pride as being among the best of countries to adopt, and has an adoption program that truly places the interests of the child first! She encourages us to look at the positive -- and see that truly the existing adoption law is in the best interst of the child and that reform historically only leads to keeping children from what they most desperately need and desire: a loving and permanent home and famiy! I wish that Prof. Bartholet could speak before the congress of guatemala. Her voice needs to desperately be heard.
Sincerely,
Gloria Vazquez-Pickering
blessed mama to 5 guatemalan children