Organization Barnevernet: Children Taken Away From Parents Because of Religious Teaching
In Norway 16th November 2015, the Norwegian-Romanian family Bodnariu was forcefully separated, all five children were sent to different foster homes, because of the parents' Christian faith. The school teacher expressed concern to the Child Protection Organization Barnevernet, that the children were taught at home that "God punishes sins". There was no family review or court judgment. The Norwegian Authorities interrogated and intimidated the parents during the process. Two hundred and ten days later, the family could finally be reunited. There are several cases of forced adoption and family separations in Norway, influenced by the Organization Barnevernet. There have been protests against this organization, which has "destroyed many families" according to the victims. In another family, Merlita and Terje, whose son was taken away for 12 years, won the case against Norway after taking it to the European Court of Human Rights. Norway was convicted to human rights violations.
Other Case:
In 2008 in Norway, Merlita and Terje had a son, for whom they couldn't provide good care because the mother's depression and the father's unstable mental state. The child was brought up by foster parents, but after they recovered, the child was not given back to the parents. The Supreme Court of Normay decided that the child should be adopted by the foster parents. In 2020, Merlita went to Court against the forced adaption of her child and this was brought to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on February 7th. On March 10th, the case was handed down against Norway, which was convicted of human rights violations, and the biological parents could finally have their child.
Sources: Strasbourg Observers , Glaube.AT
Sources: Bodnariu Family, Protest Against Barnevernet: VG, Garmo (Mother) threatened to take away Daughter: ZEIT
Foto of Bodnariu Family on their Website