U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on the Russian government to reverse course on legislation which permanently bans adoptions of Russian children by American families. In a letter to Sergei Kislayak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States, Senator Casey notes that American families have adopted more than 60,000 Russian children since 1992, and many families from Pennsylvania and all over the United States are currently in the process of completing adoptions.
“The fate of these children should not be linked to unrelated political issues between our two countries,” wrote Senator Casey. “I strongly support these American families’ desire to be loving parents to children in need and urge the Russian government to expedite the processing of these cases.”
One Pennsylvania woman, Brandi, who has adopted a child from Russia and is hoping to adopt another has the following to say about the ban:
“I am left with a 13 year old boy who wants a family and a family who wants him, but no way to make this happen. This boy ended up in an orphanage through no fault of his own, and now he can’t be reunited with his sister and the family that so badly wants him. This hurts. It hurts when politics turns a blind eye to what is right.”
The legislation, formally called “On Measures of Coercion on Persons, Involved in the Violation of the Rights of Russian Citizens,” effectively nullifies a bilateral agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation on international adoptions that was ratified this year and took effect on November 1, 2012. The bilateral adoption agreement was a significant step to improve safeguards that protect adopted Russian children and their American families.
The full text of Casey’s letter is below:
The Honorable Sergey I. Kislyak
Ambassador
The Embassy of the Russian Federation
2650 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.
Washington D.C. 20007
Dear Ambassador Kislyak:
I am writing to register my deep concern regarding the adoption of the law “On Measures of Coercion on Persons, Involved in the Violation of the Rights of Russian Citizens,” which permanently bans adoptions of Russian children by American families. I respectfully request that the Russian government consider reversing this legislation which is damaging to the prospects for Russian orphans and for U.S.-Russian relations.
This law effectively nullifies a bilateral agreement between our two countries on international adoptions that was ratified this year and took effect on November 1, 2012. The bilateral adoption agreement was a significant step to improve safeguards that protect adopted Russian children and their American families. The fate of orphaned children should not be linked to unrelated political issues between our two countries. It is imperative that we do all we can to ensure the welfare of our children in Russia and the United States.
American families have welcomed more than 60,000 Russian children into caring homes since 1992. Many families from my home state of Pennsylvania have adopted Russian children and other Pennsylvanians are currently in the process of completing adoptions. I understand that adoptions currently in progress may also be stopped. Children who have already met and bonded with their future parents should be allowed to join their new families. I strongly support these American families’ desire to be loving parents to children in need and urge the Russian government to expedite the processing of these cases.
I hope that we can work together to ensure the continuation of American adoptions, where the children are welcomed into supportive, loving homes with families in the United States.
Thank you for your attention to this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator