Russian parliament to mull anti-US adoption bill

26 December 2012 - 14:48 By Sapa-AP
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Baby feet. File photo.
Baby feet. File photo.
Image: Gallo Images/Thinkstock

Several protesters have been detained outside the upper chamber of Russia's parliament which is set to vote on a measure banning Americans from adopting Russian children.

The bill, designed as retaliation against recent US human rights legislation concerning Russia, was earlier endorsed by the Duma and would be sent to President Vladimir Putin to sign if the Federation Council votes for it on Wednesday.

Several people with posters protesting the bill were detained outside the Federation Council Wednesday morning. The vote is expected in early afternoon.

The protesters oppose the ban because they believe it will lead to many Russian orphans being robbed of a future because there is not enough demand for adoptions in Russia.

Putin hasn't committed to signing the bill but referred to it as a legitimate response to the new US law.

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