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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesia and Singapore Clash Over Adoptions of Trafficked Babies

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Indonesia is seeking to reconcile legal differences with Singapore over 17 Indonesian babies trafficked through illegal adoption networks.
  • Indonesia recognizes the children as human-trafficking victims, while Singapore continues processing adoptions under its domestic civil procedures.
  • The Indonesian Embassy has asked Singapore to halt proceedings for seven children and facilitate their repatriation.

Indonesia and Singapore are struggling to find common legal ground over 17 babies trafficked through illegal adoption networks. Jakarta considers the infants victims of transnational human trafficking and says their cases require a protection-focused response. Singaporean authorities, however, are evaluating the adoptions under their own domestic legal framework.

The dispute follows a Bandung District Court ruling on July 21, 2026, that formally recognized the infants as trafficking victims. The court sentenced 19 members of a syndicate that trafficked 34 babies to Singapore and several parts of Indonesia. Their prison terms range from three to seven years.

Meanwhile, Singaporean authorities apply their own legal framework to evaluate child adoptions under domestic regulations.

· Heni HamidahShe described the legal difference between Indonesia’s victim-centered approach and Singapore’s adoption procedures.

Singapore continues to process the adoptions through civil procedures. Heni Hamidah, Indonesia’s director for the protection of citizens, said 10 of the 17 children in Singapore have already been fully adopted by local residents. Indonesia is urging a victim-centered approach while acknowledging Singapore’s authority over its own adoption system.

The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore has sent a diplomatic note to cancel the adoptions and repatriate the babies.

· Heni HamidahShe outlined Indonesia’s request concerning the seven children whose adoptions have not been completed.

The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore has sent a diplomatic note asking local authorities to cancel the adoptions of the remaining seven children and arrange their return to Indonesia. Jakarta also plans to share information, align the facts of the cases and strengthen coordination between agencies.

Indonesia is invoking regional and international commitments, including the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, and the Palermo Protocol. Hamidah said the diplomatic effort seeks a solution that respects both countries’ legal processes while protecting the rights of the children.

The goal is to reach a resolution that respects each nation's legal processes based on the principle of child protection.

· Heni HamidahShe summarized Indonesia’s stated aim in the diplomatic discussions.
About this summary

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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