Press Release
The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), which brings together 93 member states, has been working for more than a decade on a legislative project aimed at guaranteeing the legal effects of cross-border surrogacy contracts for commissioning people.
However, its governing body, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP), has just decided to abandon the project. As stated in the official press release:
“While recognising the progress made by the Working Group, CGAP decided not to advance to a Special Commission at this stage” effectively suspending the initiative.
We welcome this decision with relief.
Our organisation, ICASM, together with more than 8,000 individuals and 500 organisations from 85 countries, has repeatedly called for this work to be halted. In our view, the proposed framework would undermine the rights of women and children in favour of an ultra-liberal and neo-patriarchal market for the purchase of newborns and the globalised reproductive exploitation of women.
The harmonisation of private international law rules cannot be pursued at the expense of human dignity. On the contrary, such efforts must aim to ensure full respect for the fundamental human rights of all.
However, the HCCH has indicated that the issue may be reviewed again in 2028. We will therefore remain fully mobilised and vigilant, ready to oppose any revival of this project and to continue denouncing its harmful human consequences.