Quebec Suspends Most International Adoptions Amid Human Trafficking Concerns
Quebec has announced a suspension of most international adoption applications, citing concerns over human trafficking and the need to protect vulnerable children from potential harm. The moratorium, detailed in a government press release, aims to strengthen safeguards against illegal practices such as child abduction, sales, and trafficking.
The provincial government plans to use this pause to develop a more robust framework that ensures ethical adoption processes and minimizes the risk of adoption failures, which often lead children into the child welfare system.
A Global Trend Towards Stricter Oversight
Quebec’s decision aligns with global efforts to regulate international adoptions. Countries such as France, the Netherlands, Denmark, and South Korea have already limited or reviewed their adoption policies in response to similar concerns.
Geneviève Poirier, secretary and director-general of international adoption at Quebec’s Health Ministry, highlighted the province’s commitment to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. Quebec signed the convention in 2006, aiming to prevent human trafficking and uphold the rights of children.
“When crises like civil wars or coup d’états occur, the Hague Convention mandates a halt to international adoptions to ensure children aren’t displaced improperly and that every effort is made to locate extended family,” Poirier explained.
Addressing Ethical Concerns
Poirier noted that some international adoption agencies have failed to meet the convention’s criteria, raising questions about whether children were bought or sold or if due diligence was exercised in locating their biological families. “This move is fundamentally about protecting children,” she emphasized.
While most international adoptions through certified agencies are now paused, certain exceptions remain. For instance, individuals adopting extended family members can continue the process under strict scrutiny.
National Context
The Canadian government has also imposed adoption suspensions for certain countries, including Georgia, Guatemala, Liberia, Nepal, and Ukraine, citing similar concerns. This reflects a nationwide commitment to ensuring ethical adoption practices and safeguarding children’s welfare.
As Quebec works to implement stronger measures, the government’s stance reinforces the priority of protecting children’s rights while ensuring that international adoptions are conducted responsibly and transparently.
Source : The Canadian Press
