A recent report by South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission reveals grave violations in overseas adoptions, labelling children as orphans and sending them abroad like “luggage” for decades. The commission’s inquiry spanned two years, identifying serious human rights abuses involving at least 56 adoptees out of 367 petitions from 1964 to 1999, reaching 11 countries including the US and Sweden.
Releasing a haunting image of infants secured in airplane seats in 1984, the commission highlighted how agencies complied with foreign demands for a monthly quota of children, prioritising intercountry adoptions over domestic welfare initiatives. The government’s lax oversight allowed fraudulent practices like false orphan registrations and inadequate vetting of adoptive parents, neglecting the welfare of vulnerable children.
The commission not only called for a formal apology from the government but also urged investigations into victims’ identities, a comprehensive look at adoptees’ citizenship issues, and a swift endorsement of the Hague Adoption Convention. They stress that adoption agencies must be held accountable in restoring the rights of adoptees.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Korea uncovered serious rights violations during overseas adoptions, revealing children were mislabelled as orphans and sent away like luggage. The report from two years of investigation found evidence of fraud, and it recommended the government issue an apology while calling for several reforms and measures to protect adoptees’ rights.
In summary, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings expose the dark legacy of South Korea’s overseas adoption practices, where vulnerable children were treated unethically. The call for formal apologies and reforms signifies a crucial step towards rectifying these injustices and restoring the rights of the affected adoptees. The commitment to addressing past misdeeds and upholding children’s welfare must be prioritised to prevent such violations from resurfacing.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
