WRITTEN QUESTION E-2273/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Intercountry adoptions

The stir which has recently been caused by the activities of members of the Concerned Christians cult has highlighted the problem of intercountry adoptions and in particular the adoption of children from countries of Eastern Europe. The 25 members of the cult include 6 adopted children with special needs from Romania. These children need a secure environment instead of travelling between Greece and Israel with a group of adults whose intentions are unknown but who, according to press reports. Are planning to commit suicide with the advent of the year 2000, possibly endangering the lives of the children.

The European Parliament has expressed the view that uncontrolled intercountry adoptions, together with sexual exploitation are a major present-day problem, particularly for children from Eastern European countries. In its resolution on improving the law and cooperation between the Member States on the adoption of minors of 12 December 1996(1) it called on the Commission, the Council and the Member States to take legal and other measures to protect children involved in intercountry adoptions.

In view of the growing number of cases of abuse, exploitation and infringements of the rights of children, what urgent measures will the Commission take to put in place a rigorous institutional framework of rules governing intercountry adoptions?

(1) OJ C 20, 20.1.1997, p. 176.

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 2000)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for drawing its attention to the ill-treatment and abandon of children and to the infringements of children's rights. The Honourable Member specifically asks the Commission what emergency measures it intends to take in order to put in place a rigorous institutional framework of rules governing intercountry adoptions.

The Commission is of the opinion that the institutional framework for intercountry adoptions already exists. The effective implementation of all the instruments in question would help prevent infringements of children's rights.

With regard to legislation, the Commission would refer to the Hague Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. All the Member States are also members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. On the basis of information supplied by the Conference Secretariat the 1993 Convention has been ratified by 27 members of the Conference, only 7 of which are Member States of the European Union. To date, Greece has not signed the Convention. Romania and Israel, countries referred to by the Honourable Member, have ratified the Convention. In its resolution of 12 December 1996 on improving the law and cooperation between the Member States on the adoption of minors Parliament referred to the importance of this Convention and called on the Member States to ratify it.

With regard to non-legislative measures, the Commission would refer to the Daphne initiative it launched in 1997; this has now been replaced by the Community action programme Daphne (2000-2004) operational since 1 January 2000. The aim of the programme is to ensure a high level of protection of physical and mental health by protecting children, young people and women against violence (including violence in the form of sexual exploitation and abuse) by preventing violence and by providing support for the victims of violence in order to prevent future exposure to violence. It should be noted that the Community action programme is open to the associated countries of central Europe, including Romania, a country referred to by the Honourable Member.