Wish for a Baby: Surrogacy Dispute Escalates

<p>The fertility fair <strong>"Wish for a Baby"</strong> in Cologne is making headlines once again – not because of visitor numbers, but because of serious legal and social controversies. The Lübeck-based association "Frauenheldinnen" announced that, with legal support, it would file a formal application with the city of Cologne to impose enforceable conditions on the event. At the center of the dispute: the surrogacy brokerage that is prohibited in Germany.</p>

<h2>What the fair offers – and where the problem lies</h2> <p>"Wish for a baby" describes itself as Germany's only fair focused on fertility issues. According to the fair's website, visitors have access to expert advice, information on fertility treatments, and emotional support. The range of topics spans from in vitro fertilization to egg donation, as well as surrogacy, adoption, and single parenthood.</p> <p>This is precisely where the criticism comes in: In Germany, both the brokerage and medical participation in surrogacy are legally prohibited. The legal basis for this includes sections 13c and 13d of the Adoption Mediation Act, which provide for a brokerage and advertising ban. Children born through surrogacy abroad can, however, be recognized in Germany – a legal gray area that critics view as a loophole for circumventing the ban.</p>

<h2>Legal resistance from Lübeck</h2> <p>The association "Frauenheldinnen" stated that surrogacy is "nevertheless initiated, brokered, and advertised" at the fair – and "documented in a court-proof manner." The association announced that it would file a formal application to the city of Cologne through a law firm to enforce enforceable conditions against surrogacy brokerage. If the city refuses, a preventive declaratory action will follow immediately.</p> <p>In the previous year, the association had already attempted to stop the fair through an emergency motion – but failed before the Cologne Administrative Court. The city had approved the event on the condition that the brokerage ban and comprehensive advertising prohibition for surrogacy be observed. Inspections in previous years had revealed "nothing to the contrary," according to the city of Cologne, as stated by Robert Baumanns from the Press and Public Relations Office. His position: "The fair is purely an information platform."</p>

<h3>Political pressure from the state parliament</h3> <p>Political resistance is also building. The AfD faction in the North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament submitted the motion "Children are not commodities – Consistently enforce the ban on surrogacy and its brokerage prohibition!" It argues that the fair creates a venue for the initiation, promotion, and brokerage of international surrogacy and thus contributes to circumventing the existing brokerage and advertising ban. The motion calls for a review of the legal situation and stricter controls on fertility fairs.</p>

<h2>Protests on site and divided reactions</h2> <p>Beyond legal steps, there is also public protest. Initiatives such as "Let Women Speak" have already demonstrated several times outside the Cologne Sartory Halls, the venue for the fair. The criticism: it is contradictory that something being promoted in Germany is expressly prohibited there.</p> <p>The operators of the Sartory Halls see it differently. Managing Director Marcus Sartory stated that in this area, "social sensitivity, help, and support" are especially needed. Demonstrative hostility toward those seeking help is "particularly callous."</p> <p>A look at neighboring European countries shows that other cities have already taken a more restrictive approach: In Paris, the fair no longer takes place after government intervention; in Milan, a ban was already enforced in 2023. Cologne, however, continues to maintain its approval practices.</p>

<ul> <li><strong>Legal basis:</strong> §§ 13c, 13d of the Adoption Mediation Act prohibit brokerage and advertising for surrogacy in Germany</li> <li><strong>Previous court decision:</strong> Emergency motion against the fair rejected by the Cologne Administrative Court</li> <li><strong>Political initiative:</strong> AfD state parliament motion calls for consistent enforcement of the brokerage ban</li> <li><strong>International comparisons:</strong> Bans or cancellations of the fair in Paris and Milan</li> </ul>

<h2>Conclusion and outlook</h2> <p>The "Wish for a Baby" case exemplifies how fair operators, municipalities, and legislators reach their limits when dealing with ethically and legally sensitive issues. While the city of Cologne continues to rely on its role as an approval authority and previous inspection results, legal and political initiatives are increasing, demanding stricter controls. Whether the announced declaratory action by the association "Frauenheldinnen" will be successful remains open, as does the question of whether the North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament will take up the AfD motion. For the fair industry, however, the case is likely to become a precedent: it makes clear that operators across industries must more carefully examine the extent to which international exhibitors affect national law – a matter that is likely to gain importance in the future given globalized trade fairs.</p>