British couple leave Hungary after authorities blocked adoption of newborn baby

By Csaba Finta

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A British couple living in Budapest have abandoned a three-year legal battle to adopt a Roma baby girl after Hungarian authorities repeatedly blocked the process, despite court rulings that found the state had acted unlawfully and in a discriminatory manner.

Authorities blocked adoption of baby because foster parents weren’t Hungarian Illustration. Featured image: depositphotos.com The couple had waited five years.

The couple had waited five years to adopt when, in October 2022, Budapest’s Child Protection Services informed them they had been selected to adopt a premature Roma baby girl. The child’s biological mother had left a written statement expressing her wish for the baby to be adopted. The couple were already familiar with the Hungarian adoption system, having previously adopted a Roma boy in the country.

Professionals at the Budapest child protection service assessed the bonding period between the baby and the prospective parents as successful and formally supported placing the child with them. Only one administrative step remained: the issuance of an official record by the Budapest Government Office’s Guardianship Department. However, the appointment was abruptly cancelled at the last moment.