November 9, 2012

Notice: Suspension of Services to U.S. Adoption Service
Providers

The Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs informed the U.S. Embassy
in Addis Ababa that as of September 12, 2012, the Ministry temporarily suspended
services to International Adoption Guides and Adoption Advocates International. 
This suspension follows reports of abuse to Ethiopian adoptees placed with U.S.
families by these agencies.  This suspension of services applies to new cases
only.  While court hearings may be assigned, the suspension of services may
prevent a final decision from the Federal First Instance Court, or a final
decree from the Ministry, from being issued.  The Ministry indicated that this
action is temporary, and that a final determination will only be made once the
Ministry has sufficient opportunity to investigate the abuse cases and to review
the actions taken by the agencies to address the situation.

The Department of State will post further information regarding this matter
as it becomes available on adoption.state.gov.