NEPAL: MINISTER FOR WOMEN AGREES ADOPTION REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000485 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/INS STATE FOR CA/VO/L/A: SUMBER, JNYSTROM; CI: MSAINT VICTOR, CLAMORA; CA/FPP: DKENDRICK NEW DELHI PLEASE PASS TO DHS/USCIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2017 TAGS: PGOV CVIS CASC KFRD KOCI NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: MINISTER FOR WOMEN AGREES ADOPTION REFORM REQUIRED REF: KATHMANDU 342 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) On March 5, the Ambassador identified three areas in which Nepal's adoption process required reform to Urmila Aryal, Minister for Women and Children. Aryal stressed that she would continue to push policy makers for change in Nepal's adoption system. Aryal cited the Ministry's accomplishments over the past year, including a Trafficking Bill currently in the Interim Parliament and her work on quotas for women in the government. Reform Needed, Obstacles Remain -------------- ¶2. (C) In a March 5 meeting with Minister of Women, Children, and Social Welfare Urmila Aryal, the Ambassador highlighted the positive aspects of international adoptions for Nepali children, adoptive American parents, and bilateral relations. He stressed, however, that the adoption system in Nepal needed reform. Citing the recent French Government decision to stop all Nepali adoptions and an upcoming review by the German Government, he told Aryal three major issues needed to be addressed. First, Nepal needed to establish a central adoption authority with sufficient expertise to handle the adoption workload. Second, while legislative reforms would be ideal, Nepal needed to enforce the laws already on the books. Third, Nepal needed to establish standardized requirements, processing procedures and fees for international adoptions. The Ambassador also urged the Ministry and the Government of Nepal (GON) to sign and ratify the Hague Convention on International Adoptions. Minister Aryal replied that her review of adoption procedures and her recent trip to France had revealed some areas for improvement. She was hopeful that she could push through a new Child Rights Act and new terms and conditions for international adoptions after the adoptions conference in Kathmandu and once the Interim Parliament was back in session (reftel). New Trafficking Bill Soon? -------------- ¶3. (C) Aryal expected that, after months of lobbying, the Trafficking Bill, currently under review by the Interim Parliament, would be re-tabled in committee and pass, perhaps even within the month. She admitted that she was unaware of the extent of the trafficking problem or the network of people involved in trafficking when she first took office. Proud of her Ministry's efforts, Aryal continued that there were many more issues to address, but the trafficking bill and the Gender Equality Act were a good start. She lamented that funds were limited, but hoped that she had convinced the Finance Minister to provide additional funds for next fiscal year's budget. The Ministry currently had programs in just under half of Nepal's Village Development Committees (VDCs), and hoped to expand their reach over the next two to three years. Quotas For Women -------------- ¶4. (C) Commenting on a trip to India and a review of the reservations system in place there for women, Aryal stated that the 33 percent quota for women was required in Nepal to remedy the under-representation of women in government and other sectors such as the police and army. She lamented that it was very difficult to coordinate with other ministries, and even within her own political party, to push for the rights of women. Aryal stated that the female members of the KATHMANDU 00000485 002 OF 002 Interim Parliament had not shown a great deal of interest in a women's caucus, and that her Ministry was limited in its role. She agreed with the Ambassador that women at the district level seemed more willing to work together on issues, while higher ranking women in urban centers seemed resistant to change. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) Aryal's recognition that Nepal's international adoption process requires reform is positive, and the Minister seems committed to change. However, it is unclear whether she will retain her cabinet position when the Maoists join the Interim Government or whether the GON will be able to focus on adoptions. Addressing the Ambassador's three main concerns would go a long way in correcting some of the flaws in Nepal's international adoption process. MORIARTY