process. Because of the suspension, the U.S. Department of State announced on October 6, 2014, that it strongly recommends against adopting from the DRC at this time. According to the DRC Family Code, an adopted holds the same rights as a biological child in the adopting family. Links with original family are preserved. This regime is applied to simple adoption. As far as international adoption is concerned, the DRC Law does not provide a definition specifically; but the judicial practice authorizes the adoption of Congolese children by foreign parents. Fundamental principles for any child adoption are defined by Law No. 09/001 from 10 January 2009 relating child protection, as follow: All children are entitled to adoption The adoption of a child by a foreigner can only happen when competent authorities from the origin state: Have verified, after having examined the social conditions in the origin state that the adoption is to be done in the best interest of the child. Have made sure that: The consent for adoption is not given in exchange with payment or any kind of compensation and that this consent was not later retrieved. The Child's wishes and opinions have been taken into account in accordance with their age and level of maturity The consent expressed by the child for their adoption, when it is required, is freely expressed in ways required by the law, and that this consent is given or recorded in a written form As for conditions to be met in the host state for a valid international adoption, article 19 of the Child Protection Code explains that the host state should certify that: The future parents are qualified and are capable of adopting children The adopted child is authorized to enter and reside permanently in the host country However, even though international adoption is allowed under fulfillment of the above-mentioned conditions, article 20 of the DRC Child Protection Code denies the right to adoption to homosexuals, pedophiles and mentally-ill people. Ethiopia In 2018, Ethiopia banned the adoption of children by foreigners. This followed the conviction of U.S. parents, Carri and Larry Williams, who were found guilty of manslaughter after their thirteen-year old Ethiopian adopted daughter, Hana Williams, died of hypothermia in 2011. The Ethiopian Government's official news outlet, ENA, claims that the state banned international adoptions due to concerns over child abuse and neglect overseas. There were instances of children who were