Statement on Broadcasting Children Waiting for Adoption
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) expresses its opinion on Finding Homes for Children Waiting for Adoption Campaign, which was broadcasted on one of the cable television channel.
At present, the number of domestic adoption still falls behind international adoption, and even the number is decreasing. The NHRCK recognizes fully necessity to encourage domestic adoption in order to ensure the best possible environment to grow up for children. The issue of children's rights, including the right to privacy and integrity, should not be neglected in encouraging domestic adoption. In particular, it is important to pay attention to the rights of infants that may be at higher risk of abuse.
The campaign advertisement exposed personal information of children waiting for adoption, such as the appearance, pseudonyms, gender, age, characteristics and development status of children and contact detail of residential care facilities. However, there are various ways to deliver the message for domestic adoption through TV broadcasting, not necessarily exposing the actual children waiting for adoption. In addition, it is difficult to assume that the appearance of actual children waiting for adoption in the broadcasting image may be significantly effective in our culture that is yet unreceptive to open adoption. It should be also taken into consideration that disclosure of their personal information may have an emotional impact on adopted children and they may face with social prejudices in their growing up. The NHRCK views that the campaign should be carried out in respect for human rights, eschewing the appearance of actual children waiting for adoption on TV broadcasting which may raise controversy over possible abuse of the rights to privacy and integrity of the broadcasted children.
The public institutions have the duty to protect the rights of children as stipulated in the Constitution and international human rights treaties. Therefore, it is necessary for the government to analyze the causes for low domestic adoption and to take fundamental and comprehensive measures to ensure the public campaigns for adoption be in compliance with the respect for human rights of children.
The NHRCK will remain committed to the promotion and protection of child rights through diverse efforts.
