Russia could ban child adoption for citizens of unfriendly countries - bill

MOSCOW. Aug 1 (Interfax) - Citizens from unfriendly states may no longer be allowed to adopt Russian orphans, under a bill introduced in the State Duma and placed in its database (174451-8) on Monday.

The bill proposes banning citizens of countries from a government-approved list of states and territories, which act unfriendly towards Russia, from adopting or becoming guardians of Russian orphans or children left without the custody of their parents.

The proposed approach, where the bill refers to the list of states rather than naming each one in particular, leaves a possibility of lifting the ban on a country, which has ceased to be engaged in unfriendly activities, without changing the Family Code, a memo said.

Furthermore, the bill does not ban all foreigners from adoption nor rules out partnership with foreign countries on any matter concerning the children already handed for adoption to foreign states.

The bill was authored by a group of Duma deputies from four parties, including Leonid Slutsky (Liberal Democratic), Nina Ostanina (Communists), Yana Lantratova (A Just Russia-For Truth),and Dmitry Pevtsov (New People).