Ban Will Remain on US Adoptions: Ambassador

Cambodian officials say they expect to begin initiating a 2009 law in April this year to bring the country in line with international standards. (Photo: AP)

Im Sothearith, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Tuesday, 19 April 2011

“Right now, it’s my understanding that in Cambodia there is no system for formal relinquishment and that is something that will have to be in the new law.”

The US put a ban on Cambodian adoptions in December 2001. Since 2009, Cambodia has been trying to meet international standards for adoption. However, US officials and child protection groups say the country’s policies are not ready.

The US special ambassador for children’s protection, Susan Jacobs, recently toured Cambodia to learn whether its policies protect children well enough to lift an adoption ban.

She met with NGOs, embassies, and government officials. But in an interview with VOA Khmer, the ambassador said the US is not yet ready to allow its citizens to adopt Cambodians. She says the government has more work to do.