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The Lesotho government has suspended both domestic and
foreign adoptions due to various reports of human
trafficking as well as abuse around the world. This is in an
effort to ensure that Basotho children who have been adopted
in foreign countries are not abused. Further in this regard,
the Lesotho government has engaged a commission of inquiry
whose task is to investigate all foreign adoptions of
Basotho children in an effort to uncover and respond to any
cases of abuse.
Social Welfare Director Mrs. Limakatso Chisepo said, so far,
no forms of abuse were reported by the appointed commission.
She said the commission will submit a report to the Prime
Minister Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili, following which, the
cabinet is expected to further deliberate on it. Mrs.
Chisepo said the suspension of all adoptions has posed a
challenge to her department as adoption applications
continue to be received in large numbers.
Although Mrs. Chisepo did not provide
annual adoption statistics, she revealed that her office
receives more applications from foreigners, saying that
children who are being adopted range from newborns up to 18
years. In Lesotho, international adoptions are governed
under the Child Welfare and Protection Act, No. 60 of 1980
and the Adoption Proclamation of 1952. Under these laws,
prospective adoptive parents are required to reside in
Lesotho for two years before they could adopt children, and
thereafter the inter-country adoptions can be processed and
approved. However, a revised Child Welfare and Protection
Bill being debated in the National Assembly which will
provide for international adoptions. The suspension of the
policy has not only affected the department of Social
Welfare but it has also affected orphanages and homes for
abandoned children as they have to cater for an increased
number of children. Beautiful Gate Director, Mr. Ray
Haakonsen said there are more children in his centre than
before. For instance, the centre that admits up to 25
children now has more than 40 with more girls than boys.
Lesotho News Agency (2008)
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