The Chief Executive Officer for the Samoa Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, Papalii John Taimalelagi, says New Zealand is justified in stopping adoptions from Samoa, given the number of cases that have led to child abuse.
The Samoa Observer reports that close to 700 Samoan children are adopted annually by Samoans living in New Zealand.
“There is always a reason why the New Zealand government makes changes, and these changes are temporary,” Papalii said.
He said that, according to reports provided by the New Zealand Ministry of Children and Social Services, several Samoan children who were adopted by Samoans who are New Zealand citizens are now under the care of the ministry.
Papalii said most of these children are victims of sexual abuse and violence, and some have been returned to Samoa due to the violations of their rights to safe shelter, food, health and welfare.
“This is a very important wake-up call to all the biological parents of children who are thinking of adopting their children to Samoans overseas. Think twice if that’s the right decision you are making for the sake of your child,” Papalii said.
“Please bear in mind that once the court issues an order of adoption, then the biological parents have no rights to the child; they are now under the care of the [adoptive] parents.”
Papalii stated that the circumstances some of the children are now facing put a halt to the adoption law.
He reminded parents that the choice is up to them if they are considering adopting their children to other countries.
The changes to the New Zealand adoption law became effective on September 18 of this year.
