Russian kids rights czar claims US adoption ban in line with international lawResponding to charges reportedly asserted by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets, Children's Rights Commissioner Pavel Astakhov declared that Russia's willingness to ban US adoptions of its children are in line with its obligations under international law, and that he's prepared to say as much to President Vladimir Putin.15:08 25.12.2012
Russia's ex-finance minister tags 'anti-Magnitsky' law purely politicalA bill adopted by the lower house of Russia’s parliament, which bans US citizens from adopting Russian children, is purely political and is designed to distract public attention from other problems, says a public organization led by ex-finance minister Alexei Kudrin.10:57 25.12.2012
Anti-US proposed sanctions not to hinder pending adoptions - officialRussian children, whose adoption documents are already being executed, will be adopted even if the “Dima Yakovlev Law” comes into effect, said Mikhail Margelov, Chairman of the Federation Council International Affairs Committee.15:05 24.12.2012
Russia to lose access to children adopted in US - FM LavrovBy terminating the Russian-U.S. adoption agreement, Russia will lose access to Russian children who have already been adopted, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says.11:21 24.12.2012
Duma retaliates against US with adoption ban, NGO restrictions, blacklistIn retaliation for the US Magnitsky Act, the Russian State Duma adopted the Dima Yakovlev Act in the third reading today, a bill that takes aim at the US by imposing a series of dramatic sanctions.15:07 21.12.2012
Putin: State Duma reaction to Magnitsky Law appropriateThe State Duma's reaction to the adoption of the Magnitsky Law is "an emotional, but appropriate response", Russian President Vladimir Putin said at an annual press conference in Moscow. This refers to the amendment that will close adoption agencies and will terminate the U.S.-Russian agreement on the child adoption.14:29 20.12.2012
Dima Yakovlev Law to go through third reading at State Duma on FridayThe State Duma will consider the "Dima Yakovlev Law" in the third reading on Friday. The amendments to this will prohibit the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens and will also expand its scope, affecting not only Americans who violate the rights of Russian nationals, but citizens of all countries.13:22 20.12.2012
Children's ombudsman calls for giving orphans in Russia a decent futureRussian Children's Rights Commissioner Pavel Astakhov has urged the government and society to take all measures so as to ensure a decent future for orphans in Russia. On Wednesday the State Duma approved an amendment prohibiting Americans from adopting Russian children.11:30 20.12.2012
State Duma committee supports ban on Americans adopting Russian childrenThe State Duma Committee for Constitutional Legislation and Nation Building has supported an amendment on banning the adoption of Russian children by Americans in the so-called Dima Yakovlev laws, which was Russia's response to the Magnitsky Act adopted in the United States.10:38 18.12.2012
Sweden to consider child adoption agreement with RussiaSweden is ready to consider signing a bilateral adoption agreement with Russia, the press service of Presidential Children's Rights Commissioner Pavel Astakhov said after his two-day visit to Sweden.15:18 01.11.2012
Russia demands US grant access to adopted child subject to abuseMoscow has demanded that the U.S. authorities grant Russian consulate employees unlimited access to Maxim Babayev, who was subject to abuse from his U.S. foster family.12:50 30.10.2012
Russia wants prompt response on adopted children abuse in United StatesRussia hopes the United States will promptly report all cases when adopted Russian children are abused after the bilateral child adoption agreement comes into effect.18:00 29.10.2012
Governors to be responsible for children adopted by foreignersNext week a bill will be introduced to the State Duma which sets out a more detailed procedure for the adoption of Russian children by foreigners. Every case of this kind will need to be monitored by the governor of the region in which the adopted child was born.11:00 15.10.2012
Russia urges US to punish Florida couple for abusing Russian orphanThe Russian Foreign Ministry expects US authorities to hold the adoptive parents accused of abusing six-year-old Russian-born Maxim Babayev accountable, Russia's Foreign Ministry envoy for Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law Konstantin Dolgov said on Monday.13:29 09.10.2012
Artyom Savelyev's mother appeals decision on compensationTorry Hansen, a U.S. citizen and the adoptive mother of Russian-born Artyom Savelyev (Justin Hansen) who sent him back to Russia, filed an appeal against a court decision to pay compensation of over $150,000.11:53 17.08.2012
United States help Russian embassy to investigate adoption caseThe U.S. Department of State is assisting the Russian Embassy in Washington with working together with Virginia's authorities, who recently charged Matthew and Amy Sweeney with abusing their adopted Russian child.12:07 02.08.2012
US foster parents charged with brutal abuse of adopted Russian childrenAmerican foster parents Kathleen and Martin O'Brien were formally charged Tuesday with 17 counts of child abuse and disorderly conduct for the severe and protracted mistreatment of their adopted children, most of who were born in Russia. The child abuse charges - Class H felonies - carry a sentence of up to six years in prison each, or a fine of up to $10,000 each. The disorderly conduct charges are misdemeanors.14:15 01.08.2012
Russia ratifies adoption treaty with FrancePresident Vladimir Putin has signed a law on the ratification of a treaty on cooperation with France in adoption, whereby a Russian-born child may only be adopted by a foreign family if adoptive parents cannot be found in Russia. The law was published and came into force on Monday.13:41 30.07.2012
Moscow demands unrestricted access to Russian children at Ranch for KidsMoscow has demanded from Washington unrestricted access to Russian children at the Ranch for Kids in Eureka, MT.14:52 20.07.2012
Federation Council ratifies adoption treaty with United StatesThe Federation Council ratified a treaty on Russia-United States cooperation in adoption after lengthy negotiations on Wednesday.16:44 18.07.2012