Dutch government will not ban foreign adoption

The Dutch government wants to improve the carefulness in adoption procedures, but contrary to previous advice, will not stop adoptions from abroad completely, State Secretary Klaas Dijkhoff of Security and Justice announced, AD reports.

In November the Council for Criminal Law and Youth Protection advised that the government stop allowing the adoption of children from abroad. According to the council, the right of children to grow up in a family in the country of origin must come first.

But Dijkhoff feels that a "well-regulated adoption process" offers opportunities for children as well as "an opportunity for people who wish to have a child to fulfill their wish through a legal route".

While the government decided not to follow the Council's advice, they wil implement measures to improve the procedures. For example, the Central Authority for International Child Safety will be more involved with contacts with the country where the adopted children come from. The government also intends to reduce the number of organizations that may mediate adoptions from abroad. There are currently five such organizations in the Netherlands.