Unity leaving adoption talks

POLITICS 02.10.2014 at. 14:24

(Google translation)

The adopted child Masho started two years ago the discussion on the Danish adoption system. Photo: Frithiof Film

Unity leaving adoption talks

BY SIGNING HAAHR LINDEGAARD

Unity [Enhedslisten] is the first party that says no to being in agreement on a new adoption system.

The vast majority remember the story about adopted Masho and her life with the Danish adoptive parents.

The failed adoptions that were depicted in the TV2 documentary "adoption of a child cost" [Mercy Mercy] two years ago, really started the debate on the Danish adoption system, and on top of several scandals about errors in the procedure, the mess in the economy and the suspects called child finders, the parliamentary parties now try to negotiate a new adoption system for international adoption.

An agreement is expected to fall into place this week.

But according to RGA social spokesman Pernille Skipper, the other parties have not shown themselves willing to deal with the problems and to take responsibility in the serious situation.

Therefore, Unity is leaving the negotiations today.

INLAND 02/10/2014

All adoptions must be done with state approval

A broad political majority is close to an agreement on a new adoption system with increased state control over adoptions.

"Recent scandals in the field of adoption has shown an extreme need for a basic cleanup. Fault in the procedure, the mess in the economy and suspected cases of so-called child finders where parents have been cheated to give away their children, calls for responsible political decisions," says Jyllands-Posten, adding:

"But the other parties are not willing to make the necessary changes to ensure that adopted children come to Denmark in an ethically and legally correct basis."

ADOPTION

Adoption Reform

• After several scandals both a special working group and the Legal Adviser have analysed rhe adoption system.

• Based on the experts' recommendations a broad political majority is close to reaching an agreement on a new adoption system.

• There is consensus that the current adoption agencies should be merged into one organization to undergo a much stronger state control.

According to Pernille Skipper Unity [Enhedslistens] says goodbye to the adoption proceedings about primarily government supervision of adoption agencies as the political agreement has not been good enough.

With the agreement, the supervision of adoptions to Denmark, however, would be increased significantly - both in relation to the ethical and in relation to adoption organizations' finances - and Social Security Minister Manu Sareen (R) will merge the two major adoption agencies DanAdopt and AC International Child Support, so that there is just one adoption facilitator.

"It's the same scandal-ridden organizations, which in our opinion have proven unable to handle such a sensitive system as an adoption system that is allowed to continue," says Pernille Skipper and stresses that there will still be large uncertainties associated to adoption, as it is does not make fundamental changes to the system.

"There is still great uncertainty in the system, which means that we cannot see the adopted child or the adoptive parents and the parents straight in the eyes. Hence, we have to leave the negotiations," says the social rapporteur.

Unity has instead sought to go further into the question of supervision and let a government agency be responsible for all adoptions of Danish families, and the party will go further than the other parties in relation to the demands for the countries that adopted children come from, and in relation to the children's opportunities to get information about their biological parents.

Now that the Alliance has left the negotiations Manu Sareen will fail to reach an agreement where all parties in parliament can stand behind.

An agreement which is not yet fully funded. But according to Pernille Skipper that has nothing to do with Enhedslistens “no thank you”.

"Of course we have to spend money to ensure a solid and properly adoption system. But it is the content of the agreement - or lack thereof - that makes that we will have to withdraw," says Pernille Skipper.