White House concerned over Russian adoption banDecember 25, 2012 - 14:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The White House voiced concern Tuesday, Dec 25, over the Russian bill that would ban adoptions of Russian children by U.S. citizens, according to RIA Novosti. In its response to a petition calling for sanctions to be imposed on Russian lawmakers, the White House issued a statement saying that the U.S. “will continue to raise these concerns with the Russian government.” The petition asked for lawmakers to be punished under the Magnitsky Act, a newly enacted U.S. law that denies visas to Russian officials deemed by Washington to be complicit in human rights abuses, and freezes their American assets. “Children should have every opportunity to grow up in loving families; their fate should not be linked to unrelated political considerations,” the White House said in its response. It didn’t elaborate if the steps proposed in the petition are to be enforced. The petition, published on the White House website on Friday, had gathered 54,521 signatures by Tuesday. An additional petition for sanctions to be imposed on President Vladimir Putin, if he signs the bill, collected 12,174 signatures in two days. The ban on U.S. adoptions was introduced by Russian lawmakers as part of bill responding to the U.S. Magnitsky Act. It has been already passed in three readings by Russia’s lower house of parliament. It will be reviewed on Wednesday by the upper chamber, the Federation Council. If approved, it would either be vetoed or signed into law by President Vladimir Putin. The proposed adoption ban caused a flurry of discussion in blogs and the liberal media in Russia, with critics accusing the lawmakers of exploiting children for political gain. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |