Danish parliament may resume international adoptions as parties express support for new regulations

Danish citizens may soon have the opportunity to adopt children from abroad again, pending support from a significant majority in the parliament. A recent survey of the eleven parties in the Folketing shows that seven are in favor of resuming international adoptions, provided that the system is made more robust and secure.

Only a few children have been adopted from foreign countries since January, mainly due to the cessation of operations by Denmark’s sole adoption agency, DIA (Danish International Adoption), earlier this year. This halt followed allegations of irregularities regarding adoptions from specific countries, including Madagascar and South Africa.

The government parties agree that international adoption should remain an option in Denmark. Christian Friis Bach, social spokesperson for the party Venstre, emphasized that while international adoption is important, it must be conducted under proper regulations to protect vulnerable children and ensure that Danish parents who are willing and able to care for them can do so.

For the parties open to resuming international adoptions, concerns remain. They insist that a new framework must ensure the safety and integrity of the adoption process, with many suggesting that the state should directly manage these adoptions instead of relying on private agencies like DIA, which has now shut down.

Mette Thiesen from the Danish People’s Party expressed skepticism about reopening adoptions from abroad, citing the need for guarantees of safety and security that she believes cannot be assured at this time. Likewise, Minister Sophie Hæstorp Andersen acknowledged the crisis in international adoption and emphasized the need for discussion among parties to ensure compliance with international agreements like the Hague Convention, which establishes standards for cross-border adoptions.

Currently, about 30 applicants in Denmark are waiting to adopt from abroad, indicating a continued interest in international adoption despite the current challenges.