VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
“Foreign organisations dealing with adoptions must inform the Russian authorities on the fates of adopted children and their adaptation to their new life. But, alas, such agencies are reluctant to cooperate more often than not. The most effective way to resolve this problem is to conclude legally binding interstate agreements. <…> In addition, would-be adoptive parents have to undergo social and psychological training and receive a relevant certificate. The living conditions in a new family will be strictly monitored. Adoptive parents will have to regularly report on the well-being and education of the adopted child.”
“The aforementioned international convention will allow us to clearly define parental rights and duties in marriages with foreigners, resolve the issues of guardianship and protect the rights of children to a decent and peaceful life and education.”
“We must do everything to protect the interests of children and guarantee the settlement of all these disputes and conflicts by legal means alone.”
“Today, we must take a decision on Russia's accession to the International Convention on Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children. We must improve the protection of rights and interests of children born in marriages with foreigners.”
“The government is willing to contribute to the process of placing children with families. <…>How is this policy translated into life? Through the decision to support adoptive families and put them on an equal footing with families which bring up their own children, making them eligible for the same benefits.”
“I think we should certainly improve the conditions for children in orphanages. Along with improving the conditions in orphanages and resolving other social issues for children without parents (I am first of all referring to providing them with housing), we should reduce the number of foreign adoptions, gradually ending them at some point in the near future. At the same time we should encourage adoptions by Russian parents. This is, in my opinion, the right strategy for dealing with this issue.”
“More and more products featuring violence, murder and foul play make their way to our cinema, television and radio broadcasts. More than that, children and young adults have unfettered access to them. If the state starts to unilaterally dictate its terms and ban certain shows or broadcasts this will certainly be perceived as an infringement upon creative rights and freedoms, and the return of censorship. Of course, we are not going to do this. I am convinced that the cultural sphere, including the film industry, should be governed by laws of corporate ethics, and you are the ones to decide what kind of rules they are going to be.”
“Most of Russia’s regions are successfully implementing the programme to protect and support young people leaving orphanages. A lot is being done to help them integrate into their communities, get vocational training, and find decent jobs. Our duty is, of course, to provide orphaned and abandoned children with quality housing and protect them from all sorts of abuses to which they might otherwise fall victim.”
“I believe we should introduce compulsory pre-adoption training courses for potential adoptive parents. <…>Such measures will decrease the risk of maltreatment of adopted children in their new households, helping to protect their lawful rights and interests. At the same time, we should make sure that new requirements don’t become an obstacle in the path to adoption. We must not create any additional material problems for potential adoptive parents. I think regional authorities should commit themselves to covering adoption expenses for Russian families.”
“All children should study and grow up together regardless of their physical health. Communication with their peers will help them get on their feet; this should be the norm and we must start this work at school. <…> Our primary task is to mainstream them – enable them to study in common educational establishments and not to feel isolated from society beginning in their early years.”