Danish adoption agency faces backlash as hundreds await records amid irregularities

At the Danish adoption agency DIA, a considerable backlog of documents holds vital information regarding the beginnings of many adopted Danes’ lives. Interest in obtaining adoption records has surged since January, when it was reported that several children from India were misled and separated from their biological parents, subsequently sent to Denmark for adoption. Following this revelation, a former employee of the Danish Agency for Family Law came forward, acknowledging that there had been failures and irregularities in numerous adoption cases.

As a result, hundreds of adopted individuals sought access to their records from DIA, but none have received their documents yet. Since January, DIA has been closing down operations, leaving 450 adoptees waiting for insights into their cases. Julie Hårdnes Adelørn, one of the 450 adoptees, has very few documents from her adoption, most of which are marked ‘unknown.’

Experts, including Klaus Josefsen, a lecturer at Aarhus University, criticize the delays, calling it an egregious oversight that adoptees must wait so long for explanations. Officially closing today, DIA will hand over responsibilities to the Danish Agency for Family Law, which has not yet indicated how long it will take to process the requests.

The social ministry acknowledges the ongoing issues but states the responsibility lay with DIA until today. An independent investigation into the adoption practices from the ten largest sending countries between 1964 and 2016 has been announced, with a budget of 12.6 million Danish kroner allocated.

Marya Akhtar from the Danish Institute for Human Rights emphasizes that uncovering potential violations related to adoptions should fall on the state, highlighting the systemic nature of these issues.

The investigation is set for 2025-2027, but concerns remain that its scope is insufficient and lacks a clear legal focus. Opposition parties are calling for expanded inquiries into the role of Danish authorities in adoption practices.