News Headlines
Council of Europe: Child Protection Agencies Must Respect Parental Rights
In June 2018, the group PACE (the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) released a report on its findings regarding the practices of the Norwegian child protection agency, Barnevernet. The report included several disturbing details during a fact-finding visit, showing a need for impartial guidelines to be included and administered in child protection agencies across Europe.
Excerpt:
The Council of Europe report was prompted by the international outcry over the plight of a Christian couple. Ruth and Marius Bodnariu had all five of their children taken away by Barnevernet in late 2015. The five Bodnariu children (including a three-month-old baby) were taken away after an allegation was made about the parents using physical chastisement, which is not allowed in Norway. The taking of the children resulted in protests around the world. While the Bodnariu family was ultimately reunited and fled the country, many other families came forward with similar stories of unjustified intervention.
Source: Council of Europe: Child Protection Agencies Must Respect Parental Rights | ADF International