Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RE: JUNE 17, 2009 — Families in the Process of Adoption in Guatemala Unite to Advocate for Due Process in the Remaining Children’s Adoption cases in Guatemala.
An estimated 900 waiting adoptive U.S. families are taking their plea for help to the U.S. Congress. They have formed “Guatemala 900″, an ongoing political campaign that will begin with a march and candle vigil in Washington, D.C. On June 17, 2009. This is the first in a series of actions to call attention to the plight of the hundreds of waiting children and their U.S. adoptive families.
Both the Guatemalan and U.S. governments have voiced their commitment to ensuring that the pre-Hague transition adoption cases continue to process. However, since the law changed in Guatemala on January 1st, 2008 there are still an estimated 900 children who remain in limbo in Guatemala. Most of who are living in institutions. All of the children are over the age of 18 months with many having 2nd, 3rd, and 4th birthdays without their permanent family. Numerous studies have displayed the negative impact of continued institutionalization on children’s development.
As American citizens who entered into an adoption with Guatemala in good faith, they respectfully request consistent advocacy on behalf of the families and identified children with the Government of Guatemala. In a recent Joint Council on International Children’s Services survey of the waiting families, it was discovered that the vast majority of U.S. families no longer have an agency working with them and are essentially working within a foreign country with foreign governmental entities on their own.
The purpose of the march is to ask the United States government to work with the pertinent Guatemalan adoption authorities and respect the children’s rights to due process by establishing a clear path to process the adoptions through the combined efforts of US DOS, USCIS, US Embassy in Guatemala, and the Guatemalan authorities (Procuraduría General de la Nación –PGN, Ministerio Publico-MP, Consejo Nacional de la Adopcion-CNA, Registro Nacional de Personas-RENAP). Expeditious processing will help ensure the health, well-being, and proper development of these children.
The candlelight vigil will be in front of the Guatemalan Embassy to respectfully show that there are children that have loving families waiting for them to come home. The adoptive families are proud of the country of their children’s origin and want the people of Guatemala to know and understand their commitment to these children.
Those in attendance on June 17, 2008 will be representing the 900 children and adoptive U. S. families and will include parents, children, friends and professionals with an interest in the cause.
March and Vigil Information:
March Location—Begins at15th/New York in front of the Department of Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20220. Ends at Taft Memorial, north of the Capitol, on Constitution Avenue between New Jersey Avenue and First Street, N.W
March Time—10:00 am EST
Speakers: Speakers will begin immediately following the march at Taft Memorial.
Vigil Location—In front of Guatemalan Embassy, 2220 R Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Vigil Time— 5:00pm EST
Please see www.Guatemala900.org for further details and updates
Press Contact for Guatemala900:
Gary J. Cooper
917.969.0203
gjc@garyjcooper.net
Mr. Cooper will be able to provide the press with families who are in-process for interviews.
Glossary
PGN : Procuraduría General de la Nación : the equivalent to the Solicitor General’s office. Government entity responsible for reviewing adoption cases started before January 1, 2008 and issuing approval to complete the Notarial Decree of Adoption. The head of the PGN is the Attorney General.
MP : Ministerio Publico : an auxiliary institution of the government with autonomous functions designed to ensure strict compliance with law.
CNA : Consejo Nacional de la Adopcion: An autonomous government institution created in early 2008, chartered to promote transparent, agile adoption procedures in compliance with the Hague Convention
RENAP: Registro Nacional de Personas: Public institution in charge of maintaining and issuing civil records such as birth and death certifications.
Joint Council on International Children’s Services: information can be found at www.jcics.org
