The Belgian parliament has adopted a resolution that recognises the occurrence of illegal adoptions in Belgium, confers victim status on those concerned and launches an administrative enquiry into the issue
The inquiry is to be conducted by a panel of independent experts.
The text, tabled by Michel De Maegd (MR) and co-signed by Vooruit and the CD&V, was unanimously approved. It was also supported by Yngvild Ingels (N-VA), who indicated that she was personally concerned by the issue. Hearings of victims were also organised.
The resolution calls for an administrative inquiry into cases of illegal adoption in Belgium since the middle of the last century. This situation mainly concerns children from Guatemala, Chile, Sri Lanka and India.
Over the past 70 years, adoptions have allegedly been carried out following abductions or with children who had been smuggled in illegally. Once this is confirmed by the investigation, the Chamber is asking Belgium to officially acknowledge that such adoptions have taken place. The victims should then be helped to find their biological relatives. They will also be offered an apology.
The Chamber will continue the work via the special committee responsible for evaluating legislation and policy on human trafficking and smuggling.
