LITTLE ROCK — The adoption of children from abroad is fraught with emotions, and adoptions from Russia are no exception. Russia is the third-most favored place for adoptions by U.S. families, after China and Ethiopia. The adoptions have often led to bruised feelings of national pride. At the same time, many of the children enjoy a better life than if they had languished in Russia’s grim institutions. It was with an eye toward improving the process of such adoptions that the United States and Russia approved a bilateral agreement in November.
However, last week the lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, threatened to upend this agreement. The chamber passed a bill that outlawed the adoption of Russian children by Americans.
The Duma’s abrupt action was taken in retaliation for U.S. legislation, approved by Congress and signed by President Obama, that denies visas and other privileges for Russian officials who abuse human rights.
In the rush to retaliate, the Duma has acted against Russia’s own best interests. The legislation would deny hundreds of children an opportunity each year to escape the dire condition of Russian orphanages.
The simple fact is that many of them will not be adopted by Russians, and they often suffer in primitive facilities.
Instead, the Duma has picked up a cudgel more likely to hurt Russia than the United States.
Editorial, Pages 72 on 12/30/2012