A cross-party agreement in Denmark has paved the way for a long-awaited independent investigation into international adoptions, covering cases from 1964 to 2016. The decision follows growing concerns over legal and ethical breaches in adoption practices and aims to provide historical clarity and future guidance.
Scope and funding of the inquiry
The Danish government, along with the Socialist People’s Party (SF) and the Conservative People’s Party, has agreed to allocate 22.8 million DKK (approx. €3 million) for the inquiry. The investigation will include a historical mapping of adoptions from 70 countries and a critical review of the role of authorities throughout the years.
Though initially announced in 2023, the process of defining the terms of the inquiry had stalled. Opposition parties had demanded that the investigation include the possibility of legal accountability. However, Minister for Social Affairs and Housing (Social- og Boligministeren) Sophie Hæstorp Andersen rejected this request. The final agreement focuses on uncovering facts rather than assigning legal responsibility.
Three pillars of the agreement
The deal includes three main components:
- An independent historical investigation into adoptions from all cooperating countries.
- Enhanced support for adults who were adopted.
- A forward-looking analysis of Denmark’s adoption system.
Support for adopted adults
In parallel with the inquiry, the agreement earmarks 15 million DKK (approx. €2 million) from 2026 to 2029 to fund services for internationally adopted adults. This includes free and independent legal counselling on their adoption cases, as well as improved access to personal records and background information.
“We owe it to the adoptees to clarify what happened,” said Minister Andersen in a press statement. “We are also increasing efforts—both in Denmark and in four countries of origin—to provide counselling and support so that adoptees can better understand their own history.”
A sector under scrutiny
The decision comes after several turbulent years for international adoptions in Denmark. In late 2023, the Danish National Social Appeals Board (Ankestyrelsen) received reports suggesting that Danish International Adoption (DIA) had collaborated with South African partner Impilo in ways that breached both Danish and international regulations.
Following these revelations, DIA was shut down in early 2024, and no new international adoption applications have since been accepted. The incident underscored widespread concerns about oversight and ethical standards in the sector.
Designing the future of adoption
The agreement also establishes a working group tasked with proposing a new adoption framework by the summer of 2026. The government is expected to consider these recommendations before making long-term decisions on the country’s adoption policies.
“The events of recent years have made it clear that we need a robust adoption system that puts children’s welfare first,” said Minister Andersen.
The investigation marks a significant step in addressing past mistakes and rebuilding public trust in Denmark’s adoption policies, with a stronger emphasis on transparency, accountability, and support for adoptees.
