Adoptions suspended
Sierra Leone
Adoption Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
__________________________________________________________
September 17, 2009
Suspension of Adoptions in Sierra Leone
The Government of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and
Children's Affairs suspended adoptions on May 29, 2009 due to concerns on
the legality of adoptions and the welfare of adoptees. An interagency
committee has been established by the Ministry to work on new adoption laws
and procedures. The U.S. Embassy has been informed that the committee hopes
to present a new bill to Parliament for a vote this calendar year. The
Ministry has indicated that no adoption cases will be processed or approved
while the suspension remains in effect. Adoption cases approved before the
suspension remain valid.
Please continue to monitor Adoption.State.Gov for updated information.