A girl stolen from her mother just an hour after childbirth, which took place on 11 August. In the last few days in Denmark the controversy is rampant, between accusations of racism and bewilderment for the decision that, in addition to going against the local law, mussel with every principle of common sense and humanity. The Municipality of Høje-Tatrup was over at the center of the media storm, whose administration has given order that a newborn was removed from her parent. The latter, the 18-year-old Ivana Nikoline Brønlund, is of origin in the Nuk capital of Greenland (which is a “constitutive nation” but semi-dependent on the Kingdom of Denmark). The young Ivana lost the custody of his daughter, Aviaja-Luuna, in fact already before giving birth. All after being subjected to the “parental competence” test, which has established how its parental skills could prove to be insufficient over time. The evaluation was taken on the basis of previous traumas that the girl would have introduced following child abuse suffered by the adoptive father.
But what is this “parental competence” test? It is a psychosometric examination provided for by Danish law in those cases of parenting assessed as complexes, as well as for decisions on custody and adoptions. Specifically, the test establishes the individual needs of the boy or girl and the ability of parents to satisfy them. In the example of Ivana and more generally when it comes to people of Greenish origin, however, these exams do not consider the clear cultural differences between Inuit and Danesi. And last May the Danish government launched a new law that exempt the Greenlanders from the exam. «The tests do not take into account linguistic barriers or cultural differences. This exposes Greenish parents to the risk of being incorrectly evaluated in cases of assignment, “explained Louise Holck, director of the Danish institute for human rights.
But despite all the municipality Høje-Tatrup proceeded the same for the evaluation against Ivana, among other things considered by the “little Greenland” community (hence the increase in accusations of racism). The exams were held in the spring and led the municipal authorities to take The disputed decision, communicated to Ivana three weeks before the birth. Little Aviaja-Luuna was immediately given to a foster family and the mother can see her only once every two weeks and under supervision.
“It’s so heartbreaking … mom makes your lack, my dear daughter… mom will fight every day forever because you come home, I promise you little one, I will never give up! », The young woman wrote on Facebook. He then continued, telling his inner drama: «I didn’t want to get into labor because I knew what would happen later. I kept my little girl close to me when she was in my belly, it was the closest time I would have with her. It is a very hard and horrible period ». Numerous local activists but also of other countries have hard protested and there are several events to solidarize with Ivana. The Danish Minister of Social Affairs, Sophie Hæstorp Anderso immediately was interested in chance and released a short but pungent declaration: «The standardized tests should not be used in cases of assignment involving families of Greenland origin. The law is clear ». While the municipality of Høje-Tatrup has admitted to having made a mistake in some procedures and to be at work to guarantee the best solution for the family. But the deal is destined to go to court: on September 16 Ivana’s appeal will be discussed. In the hope that the law and common sense will prevail.
