The International Conference on Inter-country Adoption kicked off in the capital on March 11 amid concerns that in the pretext of foster care and better placement for children of poor families, child trafficking rackets are galloping their activity, abetted by certain government officials. Foreign couples, who normally have to wait for years to find a child, can expedite the process considerably if they are ready to grease the hands of middlemen and orphanage operators. It is estimated that as much as $10,000 changes hands during the whole process, in clear contravention of the The Hague Convention on the Inter-country Adoption that bans improper financial gains for those handling foreign adoptions.

What is amazing is that a host of government child welfare officials are involved in the 600-odd welfare homes, many of which supply foster children to families abroad. In other words, those supposed to oversee the process are themselves a part of it. It is then not hard to surmise why the process lacks transparency. At the same time, illegal “selling” of children has resulted in an increase in abductions of young kids and coercion of poor parents. To stop this cruel business, there needs to be strict laws and clear policies on third-country adoption. The government employees should be barred from running foster homes involved in finding new parents abroad. In this regard, it is vital to bust the nexus between corrupt government officials, middlemen and foster homes. Most importantly, relevant legal mechanisms need to be streamlined and made more efficient, which, in turn, will encourage the prospective parents to make their approach through proper legal channels.