Suspension of Adoptions in Lesotho

Suspension of Adoptions in Lesotho

August 29, 2007

    U.S. Embassy officials met with senior Ministry of Health and Social Welfare authorities on August 16 concerning the suspension of intercountry adoption in Lesotho. The Ministry confirmed that the Cabinet had suspended all domestic and foreign adoptions effective June 4, due to as yet unsubstantiated reports of trafficking or abuse of adopted Basotho children. Ministry officials stated that the Cabinet plans to convene a Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged reports of trafficking as they relate to adoptions. Embassy officials indicated to the Ministry authorities that they are aware of a number of adoptions of Basotho orphans by American citizens currently in various stages of processing, and expressed the hope that intercountry adoptions could resume as early as possible. The Embassy will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updated information as it becomes available.