Unrest among adoption organizations after Colombia mismatches

THE HAGUE

Following the news that a number of participants in the Spoorloos program in Colombia are not linked to the correct biological family, there are signs of unrest among adoption organizations. Stichting Wereldkinderen, the only Dutch organization with a permit that mediates in adoptions in Colombia, has received three questions, says director Jeroen Jansen when asked. According to Inez Teurlings of the Interland Adopted Foundation, some adoptees are concerned after the revelations about the mismatches.

"It causes unrest. For example, there are questions about whether some DNA tests have been performed correctly. Cheap tests only test on four points, others on twenty. We find the latter tests more reliable, but they are a lot more expensive, around 400 euros," said Teurlings. "There must also be a hearing about Edwin Vela's actions." Furthermore, according to Teurlings, the way in which Spoorloos presenter Derk Bolt reacted was poorly received in the community. Bolt said on talk show Khalid & Sophie on Wednesday evening that he continues to believe in the discredited fixer.

According to the World Children's Foundation, the broadcast of the Scammers Addressed program, in which the mismatches come to light, can "lead to emotions and questions among people who feel connected to adoption in general or adoptions from Colombia in particular, from whatever role." , according to a message on the website. Jansen does not want to comment further "on the nature of the reactions we receive, since they are of a personal nature".

Collaboration

In the past, the organization worked with Edith Nieman, who was in contact with adoptive parents from Colombia for many years as a representative. The AD reported on Tuesday that at the time complaints were received from adoptive parents that she would enrich herself financially at their expense. According to the AD, she would also have collaborated several times with fixer Vela. Jansen says that the collaboration with Nieman ended in 2004, but does not respond to further questions about the collaboration.

Organization Fiom, which helps people with ancestry research, has posted more information on the website about the searches that the organization is doing in Colombia after the media attention about the mismatches. In Colombia, Fiom works together with the government institute ICBF. "We do not work with Edwin Vela and never have done so. We received few further questions or comments about the searches," a spokesperson said.

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