Will not stop adoptions from abroad
Bufdir has asked that adoptions from abroad be stopped while waiting for an investigative committee to look into historical adoptions. But the government would rather strengthen control.
There has been a storm surrounding adoption from abroad in recent years. Among other things, there have been cases of kidnapping, false documents and human trafficking that have been discussed by NRK and VG.
The Directorate for Children, Youth and Families (Bufdir) has therefore started an investigation where all licenses are reassessed. Several of the countries that have cooperated with Norway have already had their permits withdrawn or refused.
Last year, an investigative committee was also set up to look at historical adoptions. Bufdir has asked for a full freeze on adoptions from abroad until the investigation is completed during 2025.
Won't stop
The government has been thinking about whether to stop adoptions, but now Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) has made up her mind.
- The government has decided that we will not stop all adoptions to Norway while the external investigation takes place, but we have seen demands for increased control over the adoptions that take place, she says to NRK.
She believes that the increased control measures will ensure that adoptions from abroad will be safe.
- It will primarily be about document control to prevent false documents and ensure that there is correct information. And that the directorate itself will take over responsibility for double-checking the information we receive about the child.
Because Bufdir has already withdrawn the license to most of the countries the adoption associations cooperate with, this decision will have a limited effect.
Adoptions from Colombia and Bulgaria are now being continued. In addition, South Korea has received a restricted renewal permit.
The withdrawals have been appealed to the ministry, which has not yet concluded.
Waiting in uncertainty
One of the couples waiting to adopt a child is Lina Langerud Heikkilä and Eldan Naftaly Nysveen.
But the country they have applied to adopt from, South Africa, was among the countries that recently had their permission withdrawn from Bufdir. Now they don't know what will happen
- I was very upset. We felt a sense of sadness over something we wanted so much and have worked hard to achieve, says Heikkilä to NRK.
The couple understand that the adoptions will be scrutinized, but say they hope that arrangements can be made for an ethical and safe continuation while the investigation takes place in order to avoid the negative consequences that a full stop could entail.
- There are so many children who are waiting in institutions for adoption, and these children will then be sitting there indefinitely. It hurts to think about.