Denmark halts all adoptions from South Africa

Denmark’s Minister of Social Affairs and Housing, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, has withdrawn permissions for aiding adoptions from South Africa due to concerns about legality, ethics, and safety, based on an assessment by the National Appeals Board. South Africa apparently lacks adequate authority structures and legislation aligned with the Hague Adoption Convention’s principles for international adoption. As a result, it will no longer be possible to adopt children from South Africa to Denmark. This decision does not impact cases already matched, and those on the waiting list are directed to the Appeals Board for further options. The minister sympathizes with families affected but stresses the importance of child welfare, which is deemed uncertain with South Africa. In December, the cooperation with South Africa by the adoption agency DIA was suspended, and in January, DIA announced it would cease operations. Andersen commits to finding a solution for future international adoptions.