Could be the end of adoption to Norway – NRK Dokumentar

For several years there has been a storm around adoption from abroad. Cases of kidnapping, false documents and outright human trafficking are discussed by VG and NRK.

Now all permits for adoption to Norway are under scrutiny.

If they are withdrawn, it will be the hook on the door for everyone who mediates adoption.

“Professionally and ethically justifiable”

In a sharp letter, the Directorate for Children, Youth and Families (Bufdir), which has given the permission, demands an answer from the adoption associations.

Bufdir wants to know whether it is “professionally and ethically justifiable” to adopt, and furthermore whether the need still exists. Bufdir also wonders whether “the authenticity of the documentation can be verified”.

– This becomes experienced as raising suspicion by us, the partner countries and our partners there, says Sidsel Elie Aasdaily leader of Adoption Forum.

– Do you understand that the authorities are skeptical, in light of the cases in the media?

– Not really. Several of the cases in the media are about adoptions from many decades ago. At the time, there were no international conventions regulating adoption. It does now. Of course, we want things to go smoothly.

Withdrawn license

Three associations are currently licensed to mediate adoption from a total of six countries: Colombia, Peru, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria.

It is the Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) who has asked Bufdir to reassess these permits.

Last year, Bufdir withdrew the license for Madagascar. In addition, they refused to renew the license for three other countries. (See fact box.)

There are currently around 350 families in Norway who are in an adoption process. These processes are now put on hold due to uncertainty about the way forward.

– Not document reviewers

The association Inor Adopt is puzzled by the questions they must answer to Bufdir.

– This is already widespread in everyone the applications ours. This is the basis for our obtaining a valid licence. Bufdir therefore knows the answer to much of what they ask us, says Shop manager Line Oseassen Onshus.

– Can they verify the authenticity of the document?

– That the governing authorities are asking about this is completely unbelievable. We are social workers, not document reviewers. The basis for everything we do is trust in and cooperation with foreign governing authorities. All documents remain anyway tested and approved by Bufdir, as the last instance in Norway.

NRK has asked for an interview with Bufdir, but they have refused this. NRK has also sent Bufdir the criticism from the associations.

Department director Kristin Ugstad Steinrem does not answer it directly, but emphasizes that the organizations are asked to comment on several matters.

– We have also asked them to comment on statements from, among others, the UN Children’s Committee and from the international organization International Social Services (ISS). We make thorough assessments of this, but are not finished and therefore cannot estimate the outcome of the assessments in advance, she says.

Examines the entire adoption field

Last year, Minister Toppe launched an external investigation into foreign adoptions in a historical perspective. She wants to know whether Norway has had good enough control and whether there have been any breaches of the law or unethical conditions.

The report must be ready in 2025.

Young K. Kim, day-to-day manager of the association Verdens barn, reacts to the fact that today’s license is being re-evaluated while the investigation is ongoing.

– I don’t understand what they are thinking. The naturopath would be to wait for the investigation before making changes, he says.

Everyone the three adoption associations tell NRK that they will have to close down if they lose their licence.

This means that foreign adoption can become history in Norway, before the investigation is finished.

– If we lose the licence, we have to close down. Then we no longer have countries to adopt from, says Aas.

– Without adoption activity, we do not have the funds to continue running the office. I don’t even dare to think about what it means for the children who could have had a better life in Norway. Most of them have to grow up in an institution or on the streets, says Kim.

Considering stopping anyway

The reassessment of licenses does not only take place at the same time as the public investigation. It also happens while Toppe is considering whether he should stop all adoptions for a period anyway.

That is exactly what Bufdir advocated in January. Then Toppe replied that the call had to do better. On 17 April, Bufdir’s new explanation came. The call is firm and is justified as follows:

“Mellombel’s suspension is the measure that most effectively safeguards the legal security of the children concerned and their biological family. By not adopting children from abroad, the Norwegian authorities take no risk in terms of breaking the law in the countries of origin or weaknesses in the Norwegian system.”

NRK has asked for an interview with Minister Toppe, but she has refused this. NRK has also sent him the criticism from the associations.

In an e-mail, she replies that hthe top priority of the authorities is that adoptions must be safe and secure, and in line with the Hague Convention.

About the reassessments, write ho:

«I asked Bufdir in November 2023 to carry out a review of the concrete dissemination license for all the countries Norway cooperates with today. I want certainty about legal certainty in adoption cooperation here and now, and therefore want an updated review.»

Bufdir must by 1. May decide whether today’s permits will be withdrawn or not.