Russia calls for an early signing of an adoption agreement with the United States in the wake of the recent reports about the abuse of Russian children from their adoptive American parents, Edelvina and Steven Leshinski. The Russian Foreign Ministry and Prosecutor-General are taking measures to probe into the incident and keep the situation under control. Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko comments:
"Russia’s Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over reports from the United States about the maltreatment of Russian kids adopted by an American couple. The incident testifies to the pressing need for a bilateral adoption agreement which would guarantee professional monitoring of adopted children on a permanent basis. Russia insists that an adoption agreement be signed within the next few months."
Even though adoption agencies overseas are required to report on the circumstances of adopted Russian kids to Russian welfare services annually, Russian children living with American families are deprived of any rights and are absolutely helpless in the absence of a comprehensive bilateral agreement. Russia’s ombudsman Pavel Astakhov says monitoring through adoption agencies does not work:
"Russian kids adopted by American families retain Russian citizenship until they turn 18, he says. But the Russian side is unable to keep track of their well-being and protect their rights. The US social care agencies fail to report in due time. We have more than 400 cases of long overdue reports and there is nothing we can do about it. A bilateral adoption treaty would enable us to render the much-needed support for kids in crisis who suffer from abusive treatment from their adoptive parents."
The three sisters – Anna, Oxana and Alexandra – adopted by the Leshiunki family in 2005 were repeatedly exposed to abuse and maltreatment. But the US social services turned a blind eye and it was not before one of the girls appeared with bruises on her face at school that the matter was finally put in the hands of the police.
The first court hearing of the case of the Leshinski couple, who were arrested in March, will take place on September 7th. The sisters, who are currently staying with a foster family, are likely to be sent back home.
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