16 Russian children adopted to the US were killed during the recent 16 years. Russia's Children Ombudsman Pavel Astakhov sounded this sad statistics at a press conference in Moscow today.
According to official data, currently more than 45 thousand Russian children were adopted by foreign families. The adoption procedure in such cases is regulated by Russian laws. In theory, the legislation is aimed at promoting children's rights and providing for the worthy living. Unfortunately, things turn different in practice. Some children get lost. Some of them are beaten, starve, some even die. Another sad example was the case of a seven-year old Vanya Skorobogatov from Chelyabinsk adopted by the US couple. Last August, the child was brought to hospital in very bad condition. Boy's head and body were covered with more than 80 bruises. Doctors didn't manage to save Vanya's life. The incident was made public only 6 months later and now his foster parents the Cravers are imprisoned and accused of murder. Russia's top lawyer Alexander Treshchev expresses his opinion how to avoid such tragedies in the future:
"Our children adopted by foreigners can be protected by removing gaps in legislation, which hinder children's safety. The greatest problem is, as usual, human factor. These are corrupted and indifferent officials who sell children without following the current legislation. Foster families are underchecked. Recently, the cases of violence and even murders of adopted children have increased. It is necessary to change the legislation, to strengthen control, to interact with the police, to prevent our children growing in such bad conditions.
Measures proposed by the lawyer concern mostly Russia. However, foreign partners involved in the adoption procedure should also bear responsibility. Legal base is needed for this. Russia should sign agreements on mutual aid in civil and family cases both with the US, and with other countries where adopted Russian children live. Only recently human rights of small Russians have been violated in France, Finland and other countries. Thus, a tougher mutual control and desire to act, first of all in children's interests are necessary.
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