Visit to India – January 2009
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Visit to India – January 2009
In January 2009, a delegation from the Attorney-General’s Department will visit India. The delegation will meet with the Central Adoption Resource Agency (the Indian Central Authority), Australian Embassy officials, foreign embassies, non government organisations, and adoption agencies to discuss a range of program issues, with a particular focus on the child trafficking allegations that were made last year in relation to Indian adoptions. The visit will also allow the Department to build on our established positive working relationship with key officials in the Indian Central Authority.
The visit will provide an opportunity to develop a more detailed understanding of the intercountry adoption system in India, including progress made by CARA since India ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption in 2003, implementation of the 2006 Guidelines, and any foreshadowed developments. The visit will also progress discussions relating to allegations of child trafficking and explore the range of safeguards in place to protect children. The delegation also hopes to gain valuable insights into the monitoring and review procedures that CARA has in place for the licensing of intercountry adoption agencies in India. Information gained during this visit will be particularly relevant to a comprehensive review of the India–Australia intercountry adoption program.
During the visit, the delegation will also travel to Pune to meet with the Balwant Krtar Anand Foundation (Preet Mandir) and Bhartiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK).
This Department continues to progress a range of work in response to the child trafficking allegations. In addition to continuing contact with CARA, issues have also been raised in India at the ministerial level and with the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. In consultation with the States and Territories, work has commenced on a review of the program in accordance with the Intercountry Adoption Strategic Plan. This review will consider, amongst other issues, the extent to which the program complies with the standards and principles of the Hague Convention. A protocol to assist families who have concerns about the circumstances of their child’s adoption is also in the early stages of development.
Updates about the outcomes of the delegation visit will be provided on this site. If you have any questions or comments about the visit, please e-mail us at intercountryadoption@ag.gov.au
In January 2009, a delegation from the Attorney-General’s Department will visit India. The delegation will meet with the Central Adoption Resource Agency (the Indian Central Authority), Australian Embassy officials, foreign embassies, non government organisations, and adoption agencies to discuss a range of program issues, with a particular focus on the child trafficking allegations that were made last year in relation to Indian adoptions. The visit will also allow the Department to build on our established positive working relationship with key officials in the Indian Central Authority.
The visit will provide an opportunity to develop a more detailed understanding of the intercountry adoption system in India, including progress made by CARA since India ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption in 2003, implementation of the 2006 Guidelines, and any foreshadowed developments. The visit will also progress discussions relating to allegations of child trafficking and explore the range of safeguards in place to protect children. The delegation also hopes to gain valuable insights into the monitoring and review procedures that CARA has in place for the licensing of intercountry adoption agencies in India. Information gained during this visit will be particularly relevant to a comprehensive review of the India–Australia intercountry adoption program.
During the visit, the delegation will also travel to Pune to meet with the Balwant Krtar Anand Foundation (Preet Mandir) and Bhartiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK).
This Department continues to progress a range of work in response to the child trafficking allegations. In addition to continuing contact with CARA, issues have also been raised in India at the ministerial level and with the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. In consultation with the States and Territories, work has commenced on a review of the program in accordance with the Intercountry Adoption Strategic Plan. This review will consider, amongst other issues, the extent to which the program complies with the standards and principles of the Hague Convention. A protocol to assist families who have concerns about the circumstances of their child’s adoption is also in the early stages of development.
Updates about the outcomes of the delegation visit will be provided on this site. If you have any questions or comments about the visit, please e-mail us at intercountryadoption@ag.gov.au
2009 Jan