Ethiopia has been considering placing a ban on adoption of children by foreigners following controversies surrounding the process and reports on physical abuse and even death of Ethiopian children abroad.
Ethiopia’s parliament on Tuesday approved legislation banning the adoption of children by foreigners.
Over the years, the Horn of Africa nation has become a destination for foreign families interested in inter-country adoption. Celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are among those who have found children from there.
It is estimated that Spanish families adopted 1,200 Ethiopian children in 2010 and 2011. American families on the other hand took in 5,500 in 2011, according to the United States embassy.
Last May, US Department of State issued a statement relating to Ethiopia’s suspension of adoptions urging its citizens to remain calm and follow the right channels concerning pending inter-country adoption in Ethiopia.
Homegrown solutions
According to the lawmakers, orphans and other vulnerable children should be adopted and cared for in Ethiopia to shield them from abuse.
Some Mps, however, raised concerns over insufficient services and resources to cater for such children.
Several countries have since suspended adoption from Ethiopia due to concerns over possible human trafficking cases. Denmark stopped adoption from the country two years ago.
Image: Flickr: Christophe