On August 29, the U.S. State Department reported that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare confirmed that the Lesotho Cabinet has suspended both domestic and foreign adoptions effective as of June 4. Adoptions were suspended due to reports of trafficking or abuse of Basotho children. The reports are as of yet unsubstantiated but according to the Ministry, the Cabinet intends to convene a “Commission of Inquiry” to investigate these reports as they relate to adoption. Although only a handful of U.S. immigrant visas have been issued to “orphans” from Lesotho in recent years (a total of three from 2003-2005), the U.S. Embassy reports that a number of adoptions by American citizens are currently in various stages of processing.
Usha
U.S. State Department summary of international adoption requirements for Lesotho
U.S. State Department Notice, Suspension of Adoptions in Lesotho, August 29, 2007
U.S. State Department Notice, Suspension of Intercountry Adoptions in Lesotho, August 9, 2007
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