Counties must review adoption declarations

The chairman of the Danish Parliament's Legal Committee, Lissa Mathiassen (S), wants to tighten up the rules for the adoption of foreign children.

The chairman of the Danish Parliament's legal committee, Lissa Mathiassen (S), now instructs the counties to review adoption declarations for foreign children, so that there is certainty that they are not falsified. The reaction comes after the TV program "Önskebarnet" on DR1 last night revealed that a private adoption organization had not translated medical statements correctly. A Danish couple who had adopted a Romanian child came forward in the broadcast and told how -contrary to the health declaration- it turned out that their adopted child was understimulated, malnourished and retarded. The Civil Rights Directorate pointed out that the mediator of the child, the organization "Terres des Hommes", which had the adoption was not allowed to use the consultant who had signed the erroneous declaration - but several cases appeared. A situation that is clearly unsustainable, believes the chairman of the Danish Parliament's legal committee, Lissa Mathiassen. The Christian People's Party also wants to have the conditions surrounding adoption investigated more closely. At the same time, the organization "Terre des Hommes" has asked for a meeting with the Ministry of Justice. According to the head of the organization "Terre des Hommes", Jessie Rosenmeier, there are a number of misunderstandings that the organization would very much like to correct. "Terre des Hommes" maintains, however, that the consultant in question has not falsified medical reports, as appeared on the TV broadcast. Jessie Rosenmeier also states that since the case came to light in 1995, the organization has tightened up the case processing to avoid similar situations, and all Romanian medical reports are now sent to the counties for approval.