프랑스법상 익명출산제도에 대한 재고찰

Anonymous Childbirth under French Law

Birth registration is a basic and essential element to receive legal protection and public services such as education, health care, and social security as a member of society. Birth notification system should be introduced that allows the birth of a child to be notified at the facility (ex: hospital) where the child was born, regardless of nationality. However, the birth notification system requires consideration for parents who are reluctant to reveal their identity as the fact of birth is notified or reported regardless of the parents’ will. In short, in order to protect a child's basic rights (right to life, etc.) that can be exercised by exposure of identity, anonymous childbirth under French law should be introduced along with the birth notification system. In French, The consecration of the ‘Mater semper certa rule’ does not put an end under the possibility for the mother to request at the time of giving birth that “the secret of her admission and of her identity be maintained” (art. 326). Hence, her name will not be indicated on the birth certificate, and in consequence, filiation will not be established in relations to her. The impossibility of establishing filiation later on in case the secret would be revealed, is guaranteed since the law of January 8th 1993 by a flat refusal against all actions relating to research of natural maternity(art. 325, art. 341-1 anc.). Meanwhile, to ensure better balance of the interests of those involved, the legislator has intervened through the law of January 22nd 2002. Article L.222-6 of the Social Action and Family Code ends to ensure that a woman who gives birth under X is fully aware of the importance and the judicial consequences of her decision. She is reminded “the importance for each person to know her origins and her history.” In consequence, she is invited to leave “if she agrees to it, information about her health and that of the father, the origins of the child and the circumstances of the birth as well as, in a sealed envelope, her identity.” She is informed that at any time she can leave her identity, in a sealed envelope or complete the information she has provided at the time of birth. The mother is informed as well of the possibility she has at any time to lift the secrecy of her identity. It is hoped that this paper will be helpful in introducing an anonymous birth system in the future.