On March 2nd, 2011, Haiti quietly signed on to the Hague Convention. Signing on is different than ratifying, and for the time being, there will be no change to the status quo of adoption management under Haitian law.
No change, of course, except for the continued restructuring and rebuilding that has affected the island nation since the earthquake last January. Haiti is also considering updates to its adoption laws (last amended several decades ago) but this process is slow.
So what does this mean for Canadians hoping to adopt?
For now, no change. BC issued a moratorium on new applications for Haitian adoptions. This suspension stands for the foreseeable future, although our Ministry has committed to reassessing the status of Haitian adoptions at regular intervals.
The US is moving forward - in fact, Haiti's IBESR announced on January 31, 2011, that they would accept new applications for children who were orphaned or held documentary proof of being voluntarily relinquished by both birth parents.
Congratulations, Haiti, on moving forward even as you are still rebuilding. Time will tell how quickly this ratification might take place, and how long the door will remain shut for British Columbians hoping to adopt from Haiti.
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