Ombudsman says foreign adoptions suspended

NALCHIK, May 21 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian ombudsman for children’s rights Pavel Astakhov confirmed on Thursday that foreign adoptions had been suspended in the country until bilateral agreements are signed to protect the children.

“Foreign adoption of Russian children has been de-facto suspended,” he told reporters, adding de-jure decision has not been passed so far.

“According to the Family Code, foreign adoption is a temporary and exclusive measure related to children who cannot be adopted in Russia which is allowed only on the basis of bilateral international agreements,” Astakhov said adding such an agreement with the United States would resolve the legal adoption collision.

“Otherwise over 70 thousand earlier adopted children in the United States will be outlawed,” he said.