ARTICLE - CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION

HAITI - SOCIAL: END OF THE CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION

At the initiative of Quebec and France, an international conference was held in Port-au-Prince from June 22 to 24, 2011 bringing together the Group of Montreal, represented by nine central authorities (Germany, Belgium, Flemish Community of Belgium, Canada, United States, France, Italy, Netherlands, Canada, Switzerland) the Embassy of Spain, the UNICEF representative in Haiti, the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference, the Central Authority of Chile, in the presence of governmental and parliamentary authorities of the Republic of Haiti and the Social welfare and Research Institute (IBESR), Haitian adoption authority.

The Group of Montreal has reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of the Hague Convention of 1993 for the protection of children and cooperation in respect of intercountry adoption. After the meeting in Montreal in December 2010, which set the guidelines for a joint action plan in preparation for the ratification of the Convention, it has constituted a signal awaited by the international community, of the will of the Haitian authorities to secure the adoption procedures.

Before the Group of Montreal, President Martelly has firmly committed to complete, during his mandate, the process of ratification of the Hague Convention, and include the law on adoption, in the parliamentary agenda with a review as soon as possible by the Senate and possibly a second reading by the Chamber of Deputies. Pending the adoption of the law, he has committed to make a presidential order requiring the passage of the applications for adoption with the approved bodies.

The Head of State continued : "In confidence and transparency, we will be able to identify the ways and means to resume international adoptions in Haiti. It is my strongest desire for the interest of children and the respect of their most basic rights", stressing that he relied on "the support and cooperation of the international community, and particularly the host country of the children."

Saurel Jacinthe, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, has also assured the Group of Montreal of his will to put the bill in the parliamentary agenda and has expressed his support for a evolution of the Haitian law more consistent with international standards.

Participants to this Conference welcomed the commitment of the highest authorities of the country to engage firmly the Republic of Haiti in favor of Child Protection and to comply, in matter of adoptions, to the principles of the Hague Convention. The Group of Montreal, according to the plan of action that it developed since December 2010, will continue to cooperate with the government of Haiti to implement procedures consistent with the Hague Convention that will allow eventually the resumption of international adoptions in this country.