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email Update on Belarus Adoptions
June 2, 2006
Virtually all intercountry adoptions in Belarus have ceased since October 4, 2004, when Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenko
asked his cabinet to look into international adoptions. The Government of Belarus changed its adoption procedures in 2005
but adoptions have yet to move forward. The Government of Belarus has not provided clear information on the possible duration
of the apparent suspension or possible provisions for completing adoptions that were already in the pipeline before October
2004. The U.S. Government continues to be concerned about the future of adoptions from Belarus. The U.S. Embassy is in regular
contact with Belarusian Government officials to seek clarification and continues to raise this issue with the Belarusian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. The Department of State has also expressed its concerns to the Belarusian Embassy in Washington. We are
monitoring this situation closely to obtain answers to the adoption community's important questions and will provide additional
information as it becomes available.
The U.S. Government firmly believes that international adoption, rather than institutionalization, is in the best interests
of children who cannot find permanent family placements in their home countries. We will continue to seek clarification from
the Belarusian Government about the future of adoptions and encourage international adoption as a viable option when domestic
adoption is not possible for a Belarusian child.
This site will be updated as new information becomes available.
