Angelina Jolie’s Daughter’s Biological Family Wants Her Back

Adoptionland NewsAdoption Trafficking, Excerpts

Zahara Jolie-Pitt, the adorable tot that Angelina Jolie rescued from an Ethiopian orphanage more than two years ago is now the center of an adoption controversy. According to new reports, members of Zahara’s biological family recently came forward in an effort to reclaim the girl. Paperwork filed in Africa reveals that Zahara’s biological grandmother claims the orphanage didn’t do its homework and …

Exhibition on forced adoption prompts outpouring from women moved by loss

Adoptionland NewsAdoption Trafficking, Excerpts

The trauma of separation from their babies faced by 19th century unmarried mothers is still raw in responses to the Foundling Museum’s forthcoming show. Donations to fund an exhibition on unmarried women who were forced to give away their babies – dubbed “fallen women” in the 19th century – have been accompanied by poignant comments that show how deep the …

Cruelty That Left Me With a Lifetime of Guilt

Adoptionland NewsAdoption, Adoption Trafficking, Agency Complaints, Europe, Excerpts, Rights

When we revealed the agony of mothers made to give up their babies, the response from readers was huge – and heartbreaking. Susan Smith, 61, Lancaster The stigma and devastation still haunt me, at the age of 61. I was 13 when I got pregnant in 1967, and my boyfriend was 14. Neither of us had any idea what we’d …

Scotland could face a torrent of human rights cases over its forced adoption policy between the 1940s and 80s

Adoptionland NewsAdoption Trafficking, Excerpts, Rights

INTERNATIONAL expert Professor Miriam Stevenson says thousands of Scottish mums could take legal action under European laws. AN international expert yesterday warned that Scotland could face a torrent of human rights cases over its forced adoption legacy. Professor Miriam Stevenson says thousands of Scottish mums could take legal action under European laws. The respected Sheffield-born social work expert played a …

Americans adopted out of Ireland will be able to find out their birth parents

Adoptionland NewsAdoption Trafficking, Excerpts, Rights

New legislation being drawn up by the Irish Government will see as many as 50,000 adopted people gain the right to their birth certificate. The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill is the first of its kind and will be discussed at this week’s cabinet meeting. It is expected to operate both retrospectively and for all future adoptions. Due to legal …