Guatemala Blog : Plink

       Program   International Relations Initiative

             Date   November 7, 2007

    Regarding   Guatemala – New Legislation Introduced

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As you know, Joint Council has continued to advocate for a rational and child centric transition to the Hague Convention in Guatemala.  During our recent presentation with at the Adoption Ethics and Accountability Conference, we called for the completion of adoptions in-process, the implementation of the Conventions core elements, an effective implementation date of April 2008 and funding for capacity building.  We have continued to work with our colleagues in Guatemala along with members of the Guatemalan Congress in developing a functional child welfare system.

We can now report that members of the Guatemalan Congress, including numerous party chiefs, have submitted a new legislative proposal which;

• includes a strong ‘grandfather’ clause,
• designates April 30 2008 as the effective implementation date of the Convention,
• allocates $5 million Quetzales ($650,000 USD) for the creation of the Central Authority,
• allocates a percentage of the total government budget for child welfare services
• creates a new government entity to act as the Central Authority in Guatemala,
• provides for private non-profit accredited entities to provide services to children,
• allows single potential adoptive parents to apply for adoption,
• and creates a functional process by which children can find a permanent, safe and loving family.