Govt tells missions abroad to monitor adopted children

Published On: January 12, 2017 01:30 AM NPT By: Ram Saran Tamang

KATHMANDU, Jan 12: Amid growing concerns over the condition of Nepali children adopted abroad, the government has asked its diplomatic missions in various countries to monitor the children's condition and report to the line ministry on a regular basis.

A monitoring committee headed by the chief secretary took the decision on Wednesday.

The decision will be implemented immediately without delay, according to an official at the prime ministers' office (PMO).

“Nepali children adopted abroad deserve the same rights as the citizens of their host country. But based on some complaints, we are suspicious that their right to equality have not been fulfilled,” said Dinesh Thapaliya, a secretary at the PMO. “And since the children were born in Nepal, we felt some obligations toward them, prompting us to take the decision on the matter.”

Foreigners have to fulfill certain criteria to adopt Nepali children and go through certain legal procedures. The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare keeps the record of the children adopted by them in various countries. However, after the children are taken abroad for adoptions, the government does not have reliable method to learn about the children's wellbeing there.

Nepal has its embassies in only 29 countries and Consulates General in five countries, as per the record of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). Secretary Thapaliya said Nepali mission officials can travel to their neighboring countries where there are no Nepali missions in case such countries host Nepali adopted children.

“Although we have to send our representative to monitor the condition of adopted Nepali children in every country, the process is very costly. So for now, we have decided to monitor the children's condition only in those countries where Nepal has its missions,” informed Thapaliya.

If it is found that the children have not been treated properly, MoFA will use diplomatic efforts to repatriate the children, he informed.

Foreigners often adopt children from poor financial backgrounds and orphanage. German and French nationals among others adopt maximum number of Nepali children.