Russia may give up foreign adoptions once federal orphan support programs are launched - Astakhov
MOSCOW. Dec 27 (Interfax) - Children's ombudsman Pavel Astakhov believes that Russia may completely give up foreign adoptions once federal orphan support programs are launched and a related presidential decree is signed.
"We will be ready to do this [give up foreign adoptions] after the adoption of federal orphan support programs and the signing of a presidential decree Putin spoke about at a meeting of the State Council," the ombudsman told Interfax on Thursday.
It's possible to shut down all orphanages in Russia within 5-7 years, leaving only specialized institutions, Astakhov said. "We have already embarked on this path and do not intend to turn away from it," he added.
The ombudsman said that he had sent a report to the president, explaining why Russia should renounce foreign adoptions - a move that he says is in full conformity with all international norms.
