While children in Russian orphanages hope for a better future and a nourishing environment with their soon-to-be foster parents, Vladimir Putin has taken a devastating measure which will obliterate their hopes. On December 21st the State Duma, the lower house of Parliament of Russia, passed the bill that has brought dismay to many Americans, especially those who wanted to adopt a child from Russia. By signing the bill, Putin has worsened his relations with the U.S. and disconcerted millions of people who find this law inhumane, and simply outrageous.
The ban against Russian adoptions by the U.S. is the retaliation of a bill—the Magnitsky Act— approved by president Obama on December 14th. This act was created after the suspicious death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky who discovered the biggest tax fraud in Russian history. Consequently, this act denies the access of these human rights violators to the U.S. and will also freeze their accounts in U.S. banks. Enraged by this measure, Russia responded with banning adoptions by the U.S. which they thought to be a fit rejoinder. However, it has proved to be a cannibalistic act. As opposed to a wise decision and mature conduc in their reaction to the Magnitsky Act, Russia gave an impulsive response that will harm the innocent children of Russia and their own people.
Putin has said that he will improve conditions in Russian orphanages. Nonetheless, in these orphanages, children will not be able to receive the things all children need and deserve: parenting and love.
If the ban takes effect on January 1st, Russian adoptions will rapidly decrease. According to Adam Pertman, the executive director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, 60,000 Russian children have been adopted in the last two decades by American families. There are many families in the U.S. who would love to adopt these children. By closing the adoption doors to them, Russia is depriving its own people of a better future.
In an ill-fated effort to bring some dignity to the recent shameful events of Russia, Putin chose a very miserable fate for the millions of children who will have to remain in the orphanages. But the thought of this being an act just to carry out a reckless political reprisal to the U.S is repulsive and senseless. This, indeed, has brought even more shame and humiliation to Russia.
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/28/world/europe/russia-us-adoptions/index.html
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20121228_Possible_Russian_ban_on_U_S__adoptions_rankles_many.html