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Deprivation of parental rights is the main cause of children becoming orphans in Belarus. In 2003, 4,789 new cases of children without parental care were registered by child protection agencies, evidence of the continuing crisis of the family. The main reason for the termination of parental rights is child neglect associated with parents’ “immoral” lifestyles and alcoholism.
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Recent years have demonstrated some positive changes in the situation of children deprived of parental care. At the beginning of 2004, there were 27,888 children out of home care—13,016 were in state care (46.7%), 324 in temporary care (in shelters for children) and 14,872 in private care (53.3%). In addition, 1,051 children were adopted in 2003, including 337 by Belarus citizens and 714 by foreigners. In the 1990s, the number of children in state care institutions was growing, but since 2001 there is evidence of a decrease in the number of institutionalized children. For comparison, in 1993, 39.1% of children deprived of parental care were placed in alternative care and 53.3% in 2003. The negative impact of institutionalization on children is evident in the fact that more than 27% of institutionalized children have chronic diseases, 27% have developmental delays and 43% are without housing. Young people leaving care have difficulties in adapting to independent living, starting a family and nurturing their own children.
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In 2002, 1,128 children from Belarus were adopted nationally and internationally. The number of adoptions in the country has remained stable over the years.
- In 2004, 549 children were internationally adopted from
Belarus. Since 1994, there has been an increase in
the number of international adoptions until 2003 when 714
children were adopted.
The
system in the CEE/CIS region
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Source: UNICEF TransMONEE 2004, Statistical Book of the
Belarus Ministry of Statistics and Analysis “Children of the Republic
of Belarus” (Minsk 2004)
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