Hallelujah!!!

This was reported on Guatadopt.com this morning...

"Guatemalan papers are reporting that committees of Congress met yesterday on the adoption law. This was NOT the vote on the amendments. But based on these reports, Guatemala will postpone implementing the Hague until April 1, 2008 in order to better coincide with the US's likely ratification date."

"In addition, one paper is reporting that the Ortega Law's effective date will be bumped back to April 1 as well."

This, of course, is the news we have all waited to hear. If this is voted on and passed then all the cases currently in process will be able to continue! It sounds really good!!! Here's the link to the post which has 3 translated articles from Guat newspapers yesterday...

Guatadopt Post 11/7

And this was reported on the JCICS site today...

"Joint Council has continued to advocate for a rational and child centric transition to the Hague Convention in Guatemala. During our recent presentation at the Adoption Ethics & Accountability Conference in Washington, D.C., Joint Council 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,
- Creates a functional process by which children can find a permanent, safe and loving family.

The new legislation is scheduled to be introduced to Congress early next week. In line with our mission of advocating for the right of each child to a permanent family, Joint Council will continue to work with our colleagues in Guatemala towards a positive and child centric implementation of the Convention."

JCICS 11/7 Post

Happy Day!!
Jen :]