Azernews.Az

By Seymur Aliyev

Adoptions of Azerbaijani children by foreign nationals have reduced compared to past years, though the overall number of adoptions in 2011 is higher than that reported in 2009 and 2010, an official of the state body in charge of family and children's issues has said.

Vesile Movsumova, head of the Inter-country Adoption Departament at the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, told AzerNews that the committee tries to give children to Azerbaijani families living in their country or Azerbaijani families living abroad, assuming that kids will be more comfortable with their fellow countrymen.

According to official figures, eight families from foreign countries adopted eight Azerbaijani children in 2011. Four of these are Azerbaijani families living in Russia, one is an Azerbaijani family living in France, one more is a family of a Turkish and an Azerbaijani citizen living in Azerbaijan, and two families are from the United States.

"One of the American families adopted an Azerbaijani child with a physical defect," Movsumova said.

A child can be adopted by a foreign citizen only if no Azerbaijani family claims him or her. After receiving an application from a foreigner, the state committee requires his or her background information from the institution dealing with adoptions in the home country, while the Committee, for its part, sends in information regarding the child, Movsumova told AzerNews in an interview.

The main criterion of adoption is ensuring suitable conditions for children. A foreign national who intends to adopt an Azerbaijani child must not be deprived of parental rights by a court or have limited parental rights; persons whose custody rights were revoked earlier by a court ruling as well as those who cannot fulfil parental obligations because of poor health cannot adopt Azerbaijani children either, Movsumova said.

After adoption by foreigners, the Committee continues to keep an eye on the child during the following three years, Movsumova said. During this period, every six months foster parents have to send in a report about the child. The reports consist of photos and video clips of the child, with duration of at least 15 minutes, and information on the child's adaptation to the new environment.

In case foster parents break the agreement on adoption and stop keeping in touch with the relevant body, the Committee appeals to the institution of the foreign country in charge of adoptions. In turn, the institution launches a criminal case, said Movsumova.

According to the Azerbaijani President's decree dated March 12, 2007, the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs is the authorized body in Azerbaijan for international adoption issues, in accordance with the Hague Convention. The Committee carries out the tasks stemming from the Convention and coordinates relevant work of other state bodies and organizations.