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Subject: Time for Justice: Urgent Call for a Historic Apology on Forced Adoptions
Dear [Member of Parliament – Add their name]
I am writing to draw your attention to a pressing moral obligation that we, as a society, must address – the need for a formal apology regarding the historic practice of forced adoptions in the UK.
This profound social injustice has left hundreds of thousands of first mothers and their children – now adult adoptees – in a state of neglect and suffering. So far, they have been let down by the Conservative government, who promised an apology, and now they have been failed by the Labour government. Many of these women are in their 70s and 80s, and they are dying without the acknowledgment they rightfully deserve.
From 1949 to 1976, approximately 215,000 women were affected by forced adoptions. It is a matter of public record that the practice continued until the late 1980s. The Movement for an Adoption Apology (MAA) estimates that the true number affected may be as high as half a million, given the poor record-keeping and many unrecorded cases.
The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) debated this issue on July 12, 2018, and initiated an inquiry on September 23, 2021. Their report, published on July 15, 2022, urged the government to issue an apology and provide reparations. Unfortunately, the Conservative government chose not to act, and, despite our attempts to engage in dialogue, the hopes of these women have been dashed once again under Labour’s watch.
Despite the clear expectation for a Labour-led apology, progress has stalled. The MAA has made repeated requests for engagement, yet these appeals have gone unanswered. Transparency is essential; we have archived correspondence available for public scrutiny.
The human cost of this injustice is staggering:
– Lifelong trauma and psychological scars for survivors.
– Restricted access to personal records, denying women their rightful histories.
– Many mothers are unable to reunite with the children taken from them.
– A lack of critical emotional support and therapy for those affected.
– Violations of human rights, including the right to family life and freedom from coercion.
– Increased suicide rates among those impacted.
– Concealed genetic risks due to adoption rules that hide vital health information.
Our movement is growing stronger and louder. We have held memorial events, gained increased media attention, and on July 16th, we will be protesting outside Parliament before presenting a petition to the Prime Minister. We urgently seek your support in addressing this historical injustice.
A formal apology is not about assigning blame; it is about recognising the trauma endured by countless women and their families. This is an opportunity to facilitate healing, rectify past wrongs, and to provide reparations, and we must not let it slip away.
We implore you to ensure that the Labour Party fulfils its promises.
It is time to act and bring justice to those who have waited far too long.
Please contact the Movement for an Adoption Apology to indicate your support.
Email: maa.adoptionapology@gmail.com
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
