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Russian orphans should no longer be able to be adopted by foreign families.
Jenny WagnerEditor News
On January 24, the Russian government is due to enact a new law. Foreign citizens from “unfriendly countries” should no longer be able to adopt Russian children. Previously, this only applied to the USA. According to the Russian daily “Isvestia”, the law will most likely be passed unanimously. The deputies are not only concerned that children will grow up with anti-Russian propaganda. For example, they fear that homosexual couples could adopt Russian children.
In the justification it says that it is a “blow for the future of the nation” if Russian children are to grow up in enemy countries. Since the beginning of the war, Russia has accused Western countries of Russophobia, i.e. anti-Russian hostility. “How can we give away our children under such conditions? We will not be able to ensure the protection of their rights if such a need arises,” said Boris Chernizhov, 31, deputy speaker of the State Duma.
In the west, “organs are to be sold”
Yana Lantratova (34), a State Duma deputy, says she knows of cases in which the children were “used as slaves on a farm”. In Russia, guardianship authorities control the family relationships in which the children are accommodated. But abroad it is no longer possible to check “what kind of relationship is developing at home,” she clarifies.
Other MPs take a similar view. Kirill Kabanov, a member of Russia’s Presidential Council on Human Rights, fears that Russian children will fall into “sexual slavery” and their “organs will be sold”, writes “Moscow Times”.
Nina Ostanina (67), Chair of the Committee on Family, Women and Children, told “Izwestaya” that the current situation was “simply criminal”. In addition, the children are unlikely to apply for Russian citizenship when they come of age after being exposed to “anti-Russian propaganda” all their lives.
Swiss can no longer adopt Russian children
In addition to the United States, 48 other countries are to be banned from adopting children from Russia. Specifically, in addition to Switzerland, this also applies to Australia, Albania, Andorra, Bahamas, Great Britain, members of the European Union, Iceland, Canada, Liechtenstein, Micronesia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, San Marino, North Macedonia, Singapore, Taiwan, Ukraine, Montenegro and Japan.
In the years from 2001 to 2021, parents in Switzerland adopted a total of 102 children from Russia, the Federal Office of Justice informed Blick. But the demand was decreasing. Especially in the last few years, there have been very few adoptions from Russia in this country.
Russian statistics also show that very few Russian children are adopted abroad. In 2010 there were still 3355, in 2021 only 69. Now that should no longer be possible.