There is a need to change the statute of limitations so that compensation can be paid to adoptees if their human rights have been violated. In addition, the government should set up an independent board that can in future initiate investigations and make decisions about possible compensation for victims.
The Danish state's responsibility in cases of illegal international adoptions should be thoroughly investigated. If the state has violated human rights, the state may be obliged to pay financial compensation. Therefore, the statute of limitations should be changed as soon as possible, so that there is no doubt that the state can pay compensation to the adopted.
This is the assessment of the Institute for Human Rights in a new analysis in the wake of recent media coverage of a large number of cases of illegal international adoptions.
" It is absolutely crucial to find out whether the Danish state has committed human rights violations in the adoption cases in question. In particular, it is important to map out whether the Danish state has violated human rights by failing to protect the right to family life, " says Marya Akhtar, head of legal affairs at the Institute for Human Rights.
According to international conventions, Denmark is obliged to ensure that adoptions take place in the best interest of the child and with respect for fundamental rights, including the right to family life.