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| Russian police officers detain demonstrators protesting against the bill. A poster reads "Destroy Putin's authoritarianism. Don't pass the bill written by scoundrels." (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) (Misha Japaridze) |
The bill is believed to be a response to legislation (the Magnitsky Act) recently passed by President Obama. Named after famous Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, the act implements U.S. travel and financial restrictions on human rights abusers in Russia. The Dima Yakovlev Bill also includes sanctions against U.S. officials who may have abused human rights and makes illegal all political activities of nongovernmental organizations who enjoy funds from the U.S. (should they interfere with Russian interests).
Though Putin's move was purely political, it has stirred outrage among many due to its implications for Russian children. According to UNICEF estimates, 740,000 children in Russia are not in parental custody, and only 18,000 Russians are waiting to adopt. With Russia being the third most popular country from which Americans adopt children, the bill will undoubtedly keep many Russian children from finding homes.
Politics is prevalent in many spheres of life these days, but it is situations such as this that cross the line. I don't see why these children have to be punished as a result of animosity between two countries. In fact, I don't see any relevance in this aspect of the bill. I happen to know a family who adopted a child from Russia five or six years ago, and I am heartbroken by the fact that other children will not have the opportunity to be adopted into loving families of their own.
For a full translation of the bill, click here.
6 comments:
Of all the things they could do, banning the adoption of children is completely random and unnecessary! I agree that it's very sad that politics keep children from getting homes. I hope Russia has a reason better than just dislike of Americans. I wonder if this means Russia is planning something that would hurt their children if they came to the US... like war. But that's probably a stretch.
This is a pretty terrible thing to do in my opinion. I know a family who adopted a child from Russia as well, and I can not imagine her not being a part of their life. I could see this as a control factor for Russia. By putting restrictions on human welfare, something seen as a politic free, innocent act, could be a power grab by Russia. Though it may not seem as important as restrictions on trade or military use, it is still a form of control.
Although I agree with Tina and Addy that Putin's move was inappropriate, I am hopeful for a positive influence that the Dima Yakovlev bill could potentially have on the country. Maybe if Russian orphans are restricted to stay within Russia, Russian parents would be more open and willing to adopt children. Perhaps the 18,000 willing parents would increase by necessity to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of needy children. I do not know specific statistics for the U.S. but perhaps a similar situation would arise in America. American couples that are willing to adopt may be more likely to adopt American children due to the lack of available Russian children.
David brings up an interesting perspective on the issue. I am sure orphanages (both American and Russian) will have to change their strategies in response to the new law, however, it remains to be seen how effectively they can continue finding the orphans homes.
On another note, Putin's response to the Magnitsky Act is utterly childish. I feel like he is trying to turn Russian relations with the U.S hostile for the sheer sake of doing so, and in this day and age, senseless provocations of hostility just appear barbaric. Hopefully this is just an isolated incident. (most of these assumptions are purely reactionary, I am not educated enough on Putin or U.S-Russian relations to say anything with certainty)
Obviously Putin aimed to hit America where it hurts. As someone who knows several families raising children adopted from Russia, I've heard terrible stories from adoptees about their life in Russia and I know that this adoption needs to continue. While Putin was trying to retaliate against the US, he's also obliterating any chance for those 740,000 kids to have a good life.
I read this article today that implies that Russian orphanages look for western families to adopt disabled children as Russians are less likely to do so(1). If that really is true, then I think that this bill is especially bad. The bill is only hurting the orphans that need help the most. What I find most interesting is that 56% of Russians polled said they were in favor of the bill. While there have been stories of American parents doing a poor job at raising Russian children, I think it is ridiculous that the Russian government and those in favor of the bill would prefer to have these orphans stuck in Russia's poor orphanages over being adopted by an American family. This news article also states that a Russian parliamentarian was going to submit an amendment that would make an exception for Russian orphans with disabilities(2). I hope that this somehow makes its way into being passed as well. I cant think of arguing against giving a disabled child a home versus forcing them to stay in a Russian orphanage that cant properly take care of them.
(1)http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/04/vladimir-putin-s-adoption-ban-raises-issue-of-who-will-save-russian-orphans.html
(2)http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/28/world/europe/russia-us-adoptions/index.html
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