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During a round table on the challenges in the field of adoption in Bulgaria, it was discussed why it is important for the adopted person to know his biological origin.

The need to expand the circle of persons who have the right to access this information was also discussed.

The round table was initiated by MP Hristo Petrov from the parliamentary group of "We continue the change

Kiril Petkov and Asen Vassilev presented their political project "We continue the change"" (PP).

It took place in the "West" hall of the National Assembly.

MPs, lawyers and representatives of non-governmental organizations participated in it, BTA reported.

Hristo Petrov informed about the bill introduced a week ago by MPs from the PP to amend and supplement the Family Code, concerning the right to provide information on origin and termination of adoption.

According to him, there are unresolved issues in the system that require a majority in parliament.

Petrov assured that the topic will be raised again in the next parliament and the changes to the Family Code will be the first that he will introduce if he is a member of parliament again.

Lawyer Zhaneta Buylekova from the Bulgarian Association "Adopted and Adoptive Parents" pointed out that the current norm stipulates that only the adopted person and the adoptive parent have the right to submit a request to the court for information.

She commented that there is nothing more normal than wanting to know one's roots.

Everyone asks themselves who I am, Builekova said.

According to her, this need to understand one's origins is stronger in adopted children.

Adoptees don't so much look for their parents as they do for siblings, she said.

The lawyer told about a case from his practice, where it turned out that two sisters, one of whom was adopted, lived on the same street, and their children played together, not suspecting the relationship between them.

PP organizes a round table on challenges in the adoption system

The knowledge of the biological origin has a health, social and moral-ethical character, Büilekova also pointed out.

Participants in the discussion added that this information is important to know what hereditary diseases a person may have, as well as to avoid inbreeding if the adoptee has a brother or sister whose existence he does not know.

Lawyer Yordanka Bekirska told about a story in which a man and a woman met and fell in love in Denmark, subsequently living together.

They later find out that they are the children of two brothers.

Knowing the biological origin gives the adoptees the opportunity to complete the puzzle of their life, Bekirska also commented.

A very large number of people had doubts about being adopted, she said, based on her professional experience.

The search for the balance of adoptees, adoptive parents and birth parents has a way to be found, many other states have already found it, the lawyer said.  

Lilia Apostolova from the "We Wanted" association shared that she was adopted.

She also emphasized the need to know the biological background in terms of health status.

Apostolova said that this is also important in cases of donation.

When asked about hereditary diseases, I said those of my adoptive parents.

In this way, I was putting my own health at risk, she commented.

Regarding the risk of incest, Apostolova said she knows she has an older brother who is also up for adoption and whom she does not know.

After knowing my origin, I live more calmly, I now know who I am, she declared.

In the course of the discussion, the need for adequate psychological support for adoptive parents and adoptees was also discussed in order to avoid re-adoptions.

The subject of the examination period for prospective adoptive parents was also touched upon.

We continue the change