Intercountry adoptees taking legal action and reclaiming our rights

Intercountry adoptees worldwide are taking legal action to expose illegal adoptions, demand truth, and push for justice, accountability, and human rights reform.

Adoptee Advocacy

Lynelle's reflection on turning pain into purpose through adoptee advocacy—healing, empowerment, and transforming systems with collective lived experience.

 Adoptions from Colombia in the Context of Armed Conflict, Forced Displacement, and Human Trafficking under the Palermo Protocol

Legal report by Andrea exposes Colombia's forced adoptions (1985–2001), urging victim recognition, reparations, and reforms to prevent future rights violations.

Book Review: Somewhere Sisters & Daughters of the Bamboo Grove

Lynelle reviews Somewhere Sisters and Daughters of the Bamboo Grove, exploring identity, nature vs. nurture, and the truths of twins separated by intercountry adoption.

Self Reflections

Hannah reflects as a Russian Asian intercountry adoptee on identity, belonging, loss, and the emotional complexities of adoption.

Intercountry adoptees as transracial immigrants in the USA

Kris shares the realities faced as a transracial intercountry adoptee in the USA, alert for racial profiling and fearing harmful interactions.

Finding Myself and a Purpose

Mike grew up in New Zealand, adopted from Hong Kong. He struggled as a young child, found his place in the world, and now gives back, to others like him.

What happens after an adoption investigation?

Lisa shares about the challenges and realities adoptees face after national adoption inquiries and public debates becoming toxic.

What rights should intercountry adoptees have?

Lynelle writes about the rights that are to be enshrined in law and practice to create a system that upholds justice, transparency and dignity for every adoptee

What I’ve missed out on in being adopted internationally

Jonti shares his journey of exploring what his losses have been in being intercountry transracially adopted from Sri Lanka to Australia.

The need for a national investigation into the role of the Australian governments in our intercountry adoption history

Lynelle discusses why its time to investigate the past of Australia's intercountry adoptions and look into the role our governments have played.

Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Initial Outcome

Lynelle discusses the importance of the Korean TRC initial findings to the intercountry adoptee community.

The importance of engaging adoptees in the design and ownership of post adoption support services

Lynelle shares on the importance of engaging adoptees in the design and ownership of post adoption support services, presented at the Hague forum in Nov 2024

The demand for adoptee peer support is strong

Lynelle shares about the global demand of peer support for intercountry adoptees, recognising the wealth of expertise within the community.

The most invisible adoptees

Lynelle raises awareness of those intercountry adoptees who are incarcerated, an unheard voice.

Why I am relieved that China terminated its adoption program

Cindy shares her thoughts as a Chinese adoptee about the closure of China's intercountry adoption program announced late 2024.

Black Lotus

Jonas Haid shares his artwork Black Lotus created and inspired by his own story of adoption from Sth Korea to Germany.

Addressing Sexual Abuse in Intercountry Adoption

ICAVs newest Perspective Paper on Sexual Abuse experiences of intercountry adoptees helping to elevate their voices and advocate for much needed supports.

Adopted from Moldova

Jacky shares about growing up with fragmented memories of their birth country Moldova and adjustments to fit in with life and family in the USA.

What do I want from my adoptive parents?

Lynelle shares what she would have wanted from her adoptive parents in response to the fraud and human rights abuses in her adoption.

How I feel about the end of Chinese intercountry adoption

Meredith shares the range of emotions she is experiencing since the announcement by China, her birth country, that all intercountry adoptions will stop.