Guatemalan Adoption Reform
On March 15, 2007 The First Lady of Guatemala, Wendy de Berger, met with Assistant Secretary Maura Harty to discuss adoption reform in Guatemala. Both parties were in agreement that Guatemala is in need of adoption reform which would include implementing the Hague Convention on International Adoption.
Guatemala is in need of additional resources in order to fund principal agencies responsible for the oversight of intercountry adoptions. Assistant Secretary Harty assured the First Lady that the United States would continue to work closely with Guatemala as the reform efforts are made.
Assistant Secretary Harty extended appreciation to the First Lady for her leadership and efforts in the publication of the Manual of Good Practices for the protection of Guatemalan children.
Although Guatemala has not ratified the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption progress is being made towards reform which, when ratified, would allow intercountry adoptions between the United States and Guatemala to continue after the U.S. implementation of the Hague in late 2007.
