RI denies messages urging Aceh adoptions

RI denies messages urging Aceh adoptions

SINGAPORE: The Indonesian Embassy on Thursday refuted text messages circulating in Singapore asking Muslim parents to adopt 300 orphans from the devastated Indonesian province of Aceh.

Amid fears of child-trafficking in the chaotic aftermath of the Dec. 26 tsunami, an embassy spokesman said there will be no adoption of Acehnese children for the time being.

"When the government has lifted the ban on Acehnese orphans (being adopted), those who wish to have these children must abide by Indonesian law," Widya Rahmanto told The Straits Times.

One of the messages lists a Malaysian contact number. It says, "Please ask among friends who would like to adopt orphans from Aceh. 300 orphans coming soon. Need Muslim homes. Christian missionaries want them. Pls help!"

Another also warned that a Christian association is "willing to take them all".

A ban on adoptions from Aceh was announced earlier this week after the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned that child- trafficking gangs may be selling orphaned children into forced labor or sexual slavery in other countries in the region. --DPA