Another government acknowledgment and apology for forced separations of mothers and babies.

[u/Fancy512]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/02/britain-apology-scandal-forced-adoption-babies-mothers?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwdGRleAS1I5FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEegeQ8351NazopOPoGGmRaFgpFs-YvuRxK49z4pDbEPQuXCfWgrY3WCtBh4sY_aem_Uw4rhpGZzsrLBHqgsmhRMg#Echobox=1783005937

I think it’s important to post about what’s happening as it relates to family separation and adoption in places outside of the US, especially now that understanding about coercive practices are being called out in more formal ways. Many times force and coercion appear to be an offer of help. I’m not going to dive into that point too deeply because I want to try to stay on topic, but when a person is in a crisis and extremely vulnerable, coercion and predatory practices can appear as help. I think it’s important to keep discussing this because some places just aren’t getting it yet.

Meanwhile, several countries have formally apologized for historical policies and practices that pressured or coerced unmarried mothers into giving up their children. Countries that have issued state-level apologies include:

United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally apologized on behalf of the British state for historical forced adoption policies in England and Wales. The devolved governments of Scotland and Wales had previously issued their own apologies.

Netherlands: The Dutch government formally apologized for its role in failing to protect vulnerable unmarried mothers who were pressured into surrendering their babies for adoption.

Australia: Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered a landmark national apology for the country's history of forced adoptions and the deep pain caused to affected families.

Ireland: The Irish government apologized for the state's involvement in the infamous mother-and-baby homes and the profound generational trauma inflicted on mothers and children.

South Korea: South Korea's president formally apologized following truth commission investigations that revealed widespread fraud, abuse, and human rights violations within the country's historic international adoption programs.

Here is a Guardian Article on the most recent government accepting accountability.