Norway to return children to Christian parents amid international public outcry

Chiqui Guyjoco Tuesday, June 07, 2016

Following the pressure brought about by international protests and campaign against the Barnevernet or Norwegian Child Protective Services, the Naustdal Municipality in Norway has finally caved in and decided to return the four other Bodnariu children to their Christian parents seven months after they were seized.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway addresses attendees during the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. Headquarters in New York, September 30, 2015. | REUTERS/CARLO ALLEGRI

Romanian Parliamentarian Ben Oni Ardelean took to Facebook on Thursday, June 2 to announce the decision arrived at by the members of the Committee for Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE).

Ardelean wrote, as translated by Romania-Insider, "PACE have decided to elaborate a Draft Report on: 'Striking a balance between the best interest of the child and need to keep the families together.'"

He added that they have agreed to look into "which extent the abusive measures taken by the Childcare Social Services (Barnevernet) from Norway are compatible with the Council of Europe's standards in this specific field, and the resolution, which will draw the main conclusions from the report, will make concrete legislative recommendations to the Norwegian competent authorities."

Parents Marius and Ruth Bodnariu also released a statement through their Facebook page, thanking the international community that has stepped up to help their family.

"We thank you all for your love, support, prayers, and active participation in the reunification of this family. May God richly bless you and repay you for all you have done to bring this family back together," the couple wrote.

On Nov. 16 and 17, 2015, the social workers seized the couple's five children ranging from ages three months to nine years old after their daughter's school principal worried that the children's parents were "radical" Christians.

The parents' appeal to get their children back was rejected on Nov. 27 while the youngest child was returned to them in early April. The rest of the children were placed in separate foster homes away from their home.

Hundreds of lawyers from the U.S. and European Parliamentarians wrote to Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg to condemn the government's act as a domestic and international crime.