Australia | Belgium | Canada | Ireland | New Zealand | The Netherlands |
Australia
We were very happy to witness the Australian government apology from Julia Gillard on 21st March 2013, a landmark victory for all those affected by adoption all over the world.
National Apology for Forced Adoptions from Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia
Julia Gillard – full apology speech
(21st March 2013)
Formal apology to people affected:
National apology to people affected by forced adoption practices
(21st March 2013)
Belgium
Flemish Apology:
www.flanderstoday.eu/politics/flemish-parliament-apologise-forced-adoptions
Canada
19 July 2018
Report calls on Ottawa to apologize to unwed mothers forced to give up babies after Second World War
[ link to main article ]
This website lists the homes women were sent to and allows them to share their story.
Mums the Word
Canadian Council of Natural Mothers
Areas for Consideration of the Inquiry into the Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices: Submission (PDF).
Ireland
A panel has now called for a public inquiry to be held into institution for unmarried mothers in Northern Ireland, according to this BBC article: Mother-and-baby homes – Panel backs inquiry, and this article, published in the Belfast Telegraph: Mother-and-baby homes branded ‘one of the great scandals of our time’ as public inquiry call made.
During 2020 and at the start of 2021, a lot has happened in Ireland, where campaigners are making significant progress.
In the South: Final report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes (Gov.ie website)
Bessborough – report
Calls have been made for an Independent Investigation in the North.
NI as reported on the BBC
We are very pleased to see that so much progress is being made and stand in solidarity with all those affected in Ireland.
30 May 2018
Irish PM apologises to 126 people illegally adopted decades ago
[ link to main article ]
The Politics of Philomena
http://mannixflynn.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/the-politics-of-philomena/ (20th October 2013)
We were pleased to see that the women in Ireland have at last received an apology for their suffering in the Magdalene Laundries.
Apology from Irish Government
(19th February 2013)
New Zealand
11 May 2018
Enquiry on Forced Adoption considered
[link to full article]
[ link to website ]
New Zealand Herald – Adoption by Force – a story of women who had their newborns taken from them
The Netherlands
Historic Dutch Case of Forced Adoption Begins
October 20, 2021
The historic trial concerning Dutch women being forced to give up their child in the 1950’s-1970s has begun at the District Court of The Hague.
https://ghrtv.org/historic-dutch-case-of-forced-adoption-begins
Latest from The Netherlands in 2021 – now the women are fighting back.
https://www.expatrepublic.com/forced-adoption-in-the-netherlands-now-the-mothers-fight-back/
Movement for an Adoption Apology 