Recent Amendments Aim to Close Gaps in Singapore’s Adoption Process
SINGAPORE: Mr Christophe Montane’s joy turned to heartbreak four years ago when, after adopting a baby, the child was taken away just 10 days later. Reflecting on the distressing experience, he welcomed recent amendments to Singapore’s adoption laws.
A permanent resident of Singapore for eight years, Mr Montane and his wife underwent a lengthy process before qualifying to adopt a local child. When the newborn arrived, it was a moment of great happiness. However, the birth mother soon contacted them, claiming there was an issue with the payment for the hospital, despite the Montanes confirming there were no problems.
Soon after, both the birth mother and the adoption agency demanded more money, which the couple refused to pay. The birth mother even threatened legal action to “return” the child. Eventually, the baby was taken away, and Mr Montane suspects the child was sold to another family.
Now, with another successful adoption under their belt, Mr Montane shared the traumatic experience, calling it the “most tragic” of their lives. He filed a police report and lodged a complaint with the Ministry of Social and Family Affairs (MSF). In his correspondence, he expressed concern that children in Singapore are still being treated like commodities.
Mr Montane, 49, who is the global head of sales for a tech company, hopes that the new adoption laws, currently under discussion in Parliament, will address these issues.
The proposed amendments to the Adoption of Children Act, introduced on April 4, aim to ensure transparency in the adoption process and protect against unethical practices. These amendments, expected to pass next month, include requiring adoption agencies to disclose all fees and regulate payments, ensuring that only necessary charges are permitted.
In addition, restrictions will be placed on the publication of children’s photos and details, reducing the risk of exploitation. Adoption agencies that profit from the process will face stronger penalties, including fines and jail time for offenders.
Ms Alice Kaveree, founder of Lotus Adoption, expressed her support for the changes, citing concerns about agencies offering babies to the “highest bidder” and hoping the laws will provide authorities with greater authority to tackle such practices.
The proposed laws also aim to provide clarity regarding the adoption of foster children who have formed attachments with their caregivers but whose birth parents are unfit or unwilling to care for them. Ms Vivienne Ng of Home for Good praised the proposed amendments, which allow for the dispensation of parental consent in certain circumstances, such as abandonment or abuse.
Foster parents Mark and Sue Lim, who have adopted two children, expressed their excitement about the proposed reforms, particularly those addressing the disclosure of adoption information and the mandatory suitability assessments for all prospective adoptive parents.
Other adoption agencies, including TOUCH Community Services and Fei Yue, also expressed support for the changes, noting that the amendments would ensure ethical practices and better regulation of the adoption process in Singapore.
The Bill signals a commitment from the government to protect the welfare of adopted children, with additional measures to ensure that the adoption process is transparent and fair.
