Kathmandu, Aug. 7: The Barack Obama government has halted the adoption of abandoned children from Nepal indefinitely due to growing allegations of child trafficking and falsification of documents, often in connivance with government authorities.
The ban came into effect from Friday and would continue indefinitely. However, the US Department of State said American citizens could still adopt children who were not abandoned but whose natural parents were willing to relinquish them though DNA tests could be required to prove they were the real parents.
A statement said the step was taken to protect the rights and interests of Nepali children.