DR Congo permits 72 children to exit for foreign adoption

Kinshasa (AFP) - The Democratic Republic of Congo said Monday that 72 children adopted by foreign couples could now leave the country after being held up for two years.

Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba announced the lifting on the halt on international adoptions after meeting the ambassadors of the main countries from where the adoptive parents originate.

"We've authorised the release of 69 children from the national territory," the minister told reporters.

"We've also permitted the release of three children suffering serious illnesses."

The children in question are being adopted by families from Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States.

In late 2013, DR Congo suspended permits for the release of children being adopted by foreigners.
Authorities at the time said they had taken the action after receiving information that Congolese children adopted in some foreign countries had apparently been mistreated or adopted by homosexual couples, which is forbidden under Congolese law.

The freeze on foreign adoptions was renewed indefinitely in September 2014.

The justice minister also said a commission that deals with adoptions would suspend its work until a new law on international adoptions is in place.

 http://news.yahoo.com/dr-congo-permits-72-children-exit-foreign-adoption-184534993.html