A unanimous social committee in the Danish Folketing wants the government to investigate removing the statute of limitations in several types of cases where children have been subjected to authority failure, DR reported. The wish is set out in a report from the committee.
Today the limitation rules can mean that people who only discover many years later that they were subjected to authority failure can no longer file compensation claims. They also cannot get recognition that what happened was a violation.
"I must admit that I am really moved," said Victoria Velasquez, social spokesperson for Enhedslisten. "A united Folketing in the social committee now stands together that we must look at the statute of limitations, and we agree that we must strengthen legal certainty for the children and young people who have been subjected to authority failure."
Asked why nothing happened before, Velasquez said it has been a long process. "It would not have happened without the tough and brave people who have come forward and told their story," she said.
Klaus Josefsen, an external lecturer in administrative law who has followed the adoption area for several years, called the development "a tribute to justice. He said it is a big and important step for the legal certainty of internationally adopted people.
The Ministry of Justice, together with other relevant ministries, must investigate by spring 2027 whether to extend a special exception in the statute of limitations law that applies to children and young people under 18. The ministries must also look at how private placement institutions and private actors can be obligated to preserve documents so people get better access to their own history.
Adopted people from various countries have in recent years filed cases against the Danish state for breaches of their human rights. Several cases have been rejected because they are statute-barred.
All adoption from abroad to Denmark has been stopped indefinitely after harsh criticism of Denmark's only adoption bureau, DIA, which is now closed. An impartial investigation of parts of the area is ongoing.