New crimes at EU level would include forced marriage, illegal adoption and surrogacy for reproductive exploitation

Broader scope for law enforcement to dismantle criminal organisations

Penalties for companies convicted for trafficking

Ensuring victims are not prosecuted for criminal acts they were coerced into committing

On Thursday, the committees on Women’s Rights and Civil Liberties adopted a draft position on revised rules to combat human trafficking and to help its victims.

New crimes at EU level would include forced marriage, illegal adoption and surrogacy for reproductive exploitation

Broader scope for law enforcement to dismantle criminal organisations

Penalties for companies convicted for trafficking

Ensuring victims are not prosecuted for criminal acts they were coerced into committing

On Thursday, the committees on Women’s Rights and Civil Liberties adopted a draft position on revised rules to combat human trafficking and to help its victims.

The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has apprehended the founder of Arrows of God Community Children’s Home, Anambra State, Rev. D.C. Ogo, for illegal child adoption.

A statement on Wednesday issued by Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, said the ministry handed over Ogo to officials of NAPTIP, two months after busting the “baby factory”.

The activities of the orphanage home were busted in August 2023, by security operatives led by the ministry, following a report by an investigative journalist, ‘Fisayo Soyombo, which uncovered some illegal activities of the facility.

The report which made the rounds on social media and local television stations alleged that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare was involved in an illegal adoption of a baby girl alongside one of her registered homes in the state.

Following the development, the orphanage home was sealed and 20 children including a newborn baby, recovered.

By Mercy Juma & Africa Eye

BBC News

A Kenyan hospital worker caught by the BBC trying to sell a baby has been sentenced to 25 years in jail.

Fred Leparan, who worked at Nairobi's Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital, was filmed accepting $2,500 (£2,000) to sell a baby boy under the hospital's care.

He was arrested in 2020 and found guilty of child trafficking, child neglect and conspiracy to commit crime.

An Irish law that gave adopted people the right to access their birth records has led to more than 10,000 applications during its first year of operation.

The Birth Information and Tracing Act, external was designed to end much of the secrecy embedded in Ireland's 70-year-old adoption system.

But for many adoptees waiting decades for answers about their early lives, the new procedures meant delays and frustration.

The legislation created a new family tracing service and throughout the year 5,500 requests to find relatives were submitted.

However, due to the complexity of some searches, 53% of tracing requests are yet to be allocated to staff.

Many late adopters struggle with serious problems and abuse after their traumatic start in life.

Society does not have a box for Alex Balógh. She is diagnosed with ADHD, emotionally unstable personality disorder and has self-harming behaviour. 

She is homeless, addicted to benzodiazepines, opioids and other prescription drugs. 

But she fits well into one box. A box that can explain why Alex has been fighting with herself for 26 years.

Kenya's government will abolish all privately owned orphanages and children's homes within the next eight years, a government minister has said.

Minister of Social Protection Florence Bore said their closure was aimed at ending child trafficking.

She said the children would be placed in family and community care, which offered a better environment for them.

A 2017 UN children's agency report estimated that 40,000 children lived in 811 registered institutions in Kenya.

Data on the number of children in unregistered institutions is unavailable.

note to Parliamentary letter about Woo decides on correspondence with the HCCH about intercountry adoption

 Woo request on communication with HCCH

Amending Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human
beings and protecting its victims