Meeting of the Working Group on Preventing and Addressing Illicit Practices in Intercountry Adoption

On 8 November 2021, the HCCH Working Group on Preventing and Addressing Illicit Practices in Intercountry Adoption met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by 43 participants representing 22 States, four Observers, and members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH.

The Group has been working on developing a Toolkit aimed at preventing and addressing illicit practices in intercountry adoptions made under the 1993 Adoption Convention, with the objective of presenting an advanced draft for the consideration of the next meeting of the Special Commission on the practical operation of the Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (1993 Adoption Convention), tentatively scheduled for July 2022. The Group’s previous meeting was held on 28-30 September 2021.

At its meeting of 8 November 2021, the Group discussed in greater detail the Toolkit’s Fact Sheet on Financial Aspects. It was agreed that participants would provide further written comments on the Fact Sheet on Financial Aspects by 30 November 2021.

Once revised, the draft Toolkit will be sent to all HCCH Members, Contracting Parties to the HCCH 1993 Adoption Convention, and relevant international organisations in preparation for the next meeting of the Special Commission. The final version of the Toolkit will be submitted to CGAP for approval. The report of the Group is available here.