Nepal will soon allow foreign nationals to adopt Nepalese children

KATHMANDU - Nepal is mulling amendments that would allow internationally distinguished foreign nationals to adopt Nepalese children, the Republica daily reported.

Officials at the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (MoWCSW) have been mulling over some amendments in the procedures regarding inter-country adoption, which, once implemented, will pave the way for foreign nationals to adopt Nepali children of their choice.

Existing international standards and practices and Nepal’s existing laws prohibit any foreign nationals from selecting the children of their choice for adoption.

However, the ministry proposed amendments overlook existing international practices, which are considered imperative for protecting children from abuses.

Officials at the ministry have proposed such an amendment after the government had to deny several internationally distinguished foreign nationals’ requests for adopting the children of their choice in the past, Xinhua reports.

According to the daily, recently, about two dozen American senators had lobbied with the government for adoption of a Nepali child by a U.S. based entrepreneur.

According to ministry officials, the government will allow a foreign national to select a Nepali child of their choice only under special circumstances. (ANI)