OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine

KYIV, 12 December 2005 - Strengthening Ukraine's adoption system was the focus of a seminar today in Kyiv, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator and the Ukrainian Family, Youth and Sports Ministry, at which the findings of an assessment were presented.

Senior Ukrainian State officials and experts reviewed the assessment and made policy recommendations on protecting families and orphans, and the adoption system itself. Allegations of trafficking and exploitation of Ukrainian children, through international adoption schemes, as well as issues surrounding the 1993 Hague Convention on child protection, were also discussed.

"This report assists Ukrainian authorities in identifying the issues that need to be addressed in child welfare and protection policy, in order for the national adoption system to comply with international children's rights and protection standards," said Cordula Wohlmuther, Senior Programme Officer for the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. "It proposes legislative and other initiatives to that end."

The assessment, which was carried out by experts from the Geneva-based International Social Services, examined current Ukrainian legislation and practices for domestic and international adoption.