Norway stops adoptions from 4 Asian nations

Post by : Dr. Amrinder Pal Singh

Norway has decided to halt the adoption of children from the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea as it launches an investigation into multiple instances of alleged illegal practices. According to a report from the VG newspaper, the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth, and Family Affairs revealed that families already in the process of adopting from the Philippines, Thailand, or Taiwan would be allowed to proceed, but only after undergoing assessment by the agency.

Couples who had received approval for adoption from South Korea, even if they hadn't been matched with a child yet, would also be permitted to proceed. Notably, a significant portion of adoptions in Norway involves children from South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Colombia, as indicated by national statistics.

The head of the directorate, Hege Nilssen, stated earlier in the month that a comprehensive examination of the adoption system was necessary in light of media reports detailing alleged illegal adoption practices. The VG report specifically highlighted instances in the Philippines where children were purportedly sold, and false birth certificates were provided. This move by Norway reflects a commitment to addressing concerns and ensuring the integrity of the adoption process. — AP