Britons no longer allowed to adopt kids in Singapore
Govt moves to protect kids after UK drops Republic from list of auto-approved nations
Singapore was removed from Britain's list of countries as the Republic has not signed the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. There is concern that if an adoption is not approved in Britain, the child may get stranded here.
BY THERESA TAN
Singapore has barred British nationals from adopting children here.
This is believed to be the first time citizens from any particular country are not allowed to adopt in Singapore.
The move is a response to the United Kingdom's decision in January to drop Singapore from a list of countries where it recognises adoptions automatically.
A British High Commission spokesman told The Sunday Times that Singapore was removed from the list as it has not signed the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.
BACKGROUND STORY
ABOUT THE HAGUE CONVENTION
The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption is an international treaty designed to protect the adopted child's best interests.
Among other aims, member countries should draw up safeguards to prevent the abduction, sale or trafficking in children for adoption.
For example, countries have to ensure that birth parents were not induced to give their child up for adoption in exchange for money or any kind of compensation.
They must also screen prospective parents for suitability to adopt and match the child with a suitable family.
So far, more than 90 countries have signed the convention.
They range from developing countries such as Burkina Faso, India and the Philippines to developed nations such as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Singapore has not signed the convention.
A Ministry of Social and Family Development spokesman told The Sunday Times that it is "currently studying the obligations of acceding" to the convention
Govt moves to protect kids after UK drops Republic from list of auto-approved nations
Singapore was removed from Britain's list of countries as the Republic has not signed the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. There is concern that if an adoption is not approved in Britain, the child may get stranded here.
BY THERESA TAN
Singapore has barred British nationals from adopting children here.
This is believed to be the first time citizens from any particular country are not allowed to adopt in Singapore.
The move is a response to the United Kingdom's decision in January to drop Singapore from a list of countries where it recognises adoptions automatically.
A British High Commission spokesman told The Sunday Times that Singapore was removed from the list as it has not signed the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.
BACKGROUND STORY
ABOUT THE HAGUE CONVENTION
The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption is an international treaty designed to protect the adopted child's best interests.
Among other aims, member countries should draw up safeguards to prevent the abduction, sale or trafficking in children for adoption.
For example, countries have to ensure that birth parents were not induced to give their child up for adoption in exchange for money or any kind of compensation.
They must also screen prospective parents for suitability to adopt and match the child with a suitable family.
So far, more than 90 countries have signed the convention.
They range from developing countries such as Burkina Faso, India and the Philippines to developed nations such as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Singapore has not signed the convention.
A Ministry of Social and Family Development spokesman told The Sunday Times that it is "currently studying the obligations of acceding" to the convention
