OSCE coordinator presents assessment of Ukrainian adoption mechanism

KYIV - Strengthening Ukraine's adoption system was the focus of a seminar held on December 12, 2005, in Kyiv by the Office of the OSCE Project Coordinator and the Ukrainian Family, Youth and Sports Ministry, at which the findings of an assessment were presented.

Senior Ukrainian state officials and experts reviewed the assessment and made policy recommendations on protecting families and orphans, and the adoption system itself. Allegations of trafficking and exploitation of Ukrainian children, through international adoption schemes, as well as issues surrounding the 1993 Hague Convention on child protection, were also discussed.

"This report assists Ukrainian authorities in identifying the issues that need to be addressed in child welfare and protection policy, in order for the national adoption system to comply with international children's rights and protection standards," said Cordula Wohlmuther, senior program officer for the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine. "It proposes legislative and other initiatives to that end."

The assessment, which was carried out by experts from the Geneva-based International Social Services, examined current Ukrainian legislation and practices for domestic and international adoption.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 1, 2006, No. 1, Vol. LXXIV

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