l ------------------------------ *From:* Casa Alianza - Briefly [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] *Sent:* 13 décembre 2007 14:29 *To:* Casa Alianza - Briefly *Subject:* The New Law on Adoptions is Passed
*Protection of Children's Human Rights in Guatemala* * **PRESS RELEASE*** * * *FOR THE DIGNITY OF GUATEMALAN CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND THE COUNTRY, THE NEW LAW ON ADOPTIONS IS PASSED* * * *The Congress of the Republic of Guatemala approved the Law on Adoptions that will allow transparent proceedings to protect the fundamental rights of Guatemalan girls and boys. * * * After ten years of constant fighting on behalf of Casa Alianza Guatemala together with social, civil, and non-governmental institutions as well as the international community, December 11, 2007 marked a new page in Guatemalan history as the Congress of the Republic urgently passed the Law on Adoptions. The law passed with 109 votes in favor on its third reading under the constant watchful eye of the representatives of the diplomatic core and social groups, counting amongst them Casa Alianza, UNICEF, Ciprodeni, Social Movement of the Rights of the Child, many children themselves, and representatives from every media outlet. Resulting from the law's approval, which will take effect on December 31, 2007, the *Consejo Nacional de Adopciones* (CNA), or National Advisory on Adoptions, will be created as the organ in charge of regulating the transactions and processes involved in adoption. The CAN will be integrated with the Supreme Court of Justice, the Chancellery and the Secretariat of Social Welfare. All of the social institutions that have participated in a great number of activities in support of the approval were greeted with satisfaction and happiness on Tuesday afternoon after the law's approval. Amongst the activities carried out by Casa Alianza and other affiliates was a press conference on Friday, December 7th in a show of posterity in support of the Law on Adoptions, as well as to spread a general consciousness of urgency for the law's approval. At the conclusion of the press conference, boys and girls from Casa Alianza went on a "Tour of Dignity", in which they went to the country's media outlets to present press releases and a petition, while delivering a cordial invitation for the media to formally unite with the movement. On Monday, November 10th in the Plaza of the Constitution, children from Casa Alianza and the Parliament of Childhood & Adolescence made a dignified, symbolic act by taking the form of the Congress of the Republic, reading the Law of Adoptions and approving the law as a singular body with a resounding YES, while simultaneously marking the following day, December 11th, as the "Day of National Dignity for Childhood". Following this act, the children marched to the Congress of the Republic where they were received by the President of the Congress, Rubén Darío Morales, who then received the signed Law of Adoptions from the President of the Children's Congress along with insistence that the Congress of the Republic do the same. The President of the Congress promised the children, assuring them that there would be no roadblocks to passing the law on December 11th, as he made a public invitation before the press asking his fellow congressmen for their support and attendance the following day. On December 11th, all of the organizations met early in the morning in front of the Congress of the Republic with placards protesting their desire for the approval of the law, saying "VOTE YES", while within the Congress the members received several representatives from countries within the European community along with the Consul General of the United States in Guatemala. The congressmen then counted off one by one in order to achieve the quorum necessary to be able to initiate the special session for this third reading of the law and its submission for approval. At the same time, in the Plaza of the Constitution, the representatives of social institutions released black balloons into the air as a means of applying pressure, refusing to release the white balloons until 2:00 p.m., when the approval of the law was officially announced. *Casa Alianza feels proud to have participated so actively and thanks all of the other institutions for having been a part of this fight. Together we have successfully brought dignity to the noble institution that is adoption. * * * * * * * * * * * For more information [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.casa-alianza.org Guatemalan Tel. (502) 2250 4964
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