Danish Parliament considers reopening international adoptions amid agency suspension

For six years, Tobias Terman Olsen and his wife, Magdalena Jozwicka-Olsen, underwent fertility treatments. The couple experienced the heartbreak of eleven miscarriages, shattering their dream of becoming parents repeatedly. As a result, they applied to adopt and have been on the waiting list for over a year to receive a child from South Africa.

Since January, only a few adopted children have entered Denmark from abroad due to the suspension of the country’s only adoption agency, Danish International Adoption (DIA). This agency ceased its operations after the Ministry of Social Affairs announced a pause on international adoptions amid concerns about irregularities, particularly regarding adoptions from Madagascar and South Africa.

However, a significant majority of the Danish Parliament is now open to allowing citizens like Tobias Terman Olsen to adopt children from abroad once again. Politicians emphasize the need for reforms in the adoption system to ensure safety and transparency in the process. This development has reignited hope for Olsen. He expressed, “We have fought for years to have a child, so it would be a tremendous joy if we could eventually have that opportunity. But there should be no doubt that it is done correctly.”

While most parties are supportive of reopening international adoptions, skepticism remains among others regarding the creation of a legal and transparent system. Olsen maintains optimism about this possibility, noting the dire situations many children in orphanages face and the better life opportunities that international adoption could provide.

Recently, DIA fully ceased operations, leaving a portion of its work to the Danish Agency of Family Law, which is currently exploring options to continue international collaborations. Around 30 couples remain on the waiting list, and all government parties are ready to reopen international adoption, provided it can be done safely.