Adoption Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

February 12, 2009

Government of Lesotho

The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho has lifted the suspension on intercountry adoptions for four countries: the U.S., Sweden, The Netherlands and Canada.  The Government of Lesotho (GOL) plans to designate only one adoption agency per country which will be responsible for coordinating all adoptions, assisting in monitoring the progress of adopted children and providing follow-up reports to the Department of Social Welfare in the Ministry of Health.  The Ministry of Health has designated Americans for African Adoptions, Inc. (AFAA) to coordinate intercountry adoptions for the U.S.  The Department of Social Welfare is forming an adoption committee to liaise with the adoption agency and prospective adoptive parents to ensure adherence to the adoption process.  There has been no change in GOL adoption laws, policies or procedures.  However, the GOL requires any case that was in process at the time of the suspension to be reinstated.  Any cases that were processed during the suspension are invalid and will require amendment of adoption documents by the High Court.  

The U.S. Embassy in Lesotho and the Office of Children’s Issues will continue to monitor the situation and will provide further information on adoption.state.gov as it becomes available.