The decision of the Greenland authorities to take a newborn mother who did not succeed in the parental competence tests caused outrage and street protests. The case has opened a discussion about the rights of parents and the borders of the state into family life.
In Greenland, protests broke out after the authorities took a newborn woman shortly after giving birth. The reason was that the mother did not succeed in the evaluation of the parental abilities that the local authorities use as a tool for preventing children’s neglect, writes the daily
According to critics, however, this procedure is a dangerous precedent. Human rights advocates warn that testing can unfairly stigmatize parents and violate their fundamental rights. At the same time, they warn that such state interventions can disrupt confidence between families and social services.
The protesters ask for an immediate review of the parental competencies testing system. They argue that the mechanism is too invasive and does not take into account the wider social and cultural context. The authorities advocate their decision to protect children from neglecting and inappropriate treatment.
The case has triggered a wave of discussions not only in Greenland, but also abroad. It points to a complex balance between state law in the interests of the child and protecting the privacy of families.
