When Keira’s daughter was born last November, she was allowed only two hours with her before social services took the baby into care. Keira, 39, recalled anxiously watching the clock during that brief time. When her daughter, Zammi, was taken from her, she expressed such profound sorrow that she likened the experience to losing a piece of her soul.
Keira, along with other Greenlandic families on the Danish mainland, is advocating for the return of their children after they were removed following parental competency assessments, referred to as FKUs in Denmark. In May 2023, the Danish government prohibited the use of these tests on Greenlandic families, following longstanding criticism, although they continue for other families in Denmark.
The evaluations are complex and meant to ascertain potential risks to child welfare; they can take several months. Supporters claim these assessments offer a more objective view than anecdotal evidence from social workers, while critics argue they fail to accurately predict parenting capabilities and are grounded in Danish cultural standards, potentially leading to misunderstandings for Greenlandic parents.
Statistics show that Greenlandic parents in Denmark face a higher likelihood of child removal compared to their Danish counterparts. The government has indicated plans to review approximately 300 cases involving Greenlandic children, yet as of October, only 10 case reviews had occurred without any children being returned.
Keira’s assessment in 2024, conducted while she was pregnant, concluded that she lacked adequate parental competencies. The tests included standard inquiries which Keira found irrelevant, such as general knowledge questions. Meanwhile, social services maintain that child placement decisions arise from serious concerns about health and well-being.
Keira continues to hope for a permanent reunion with Zammi, as she prepares for her first birthday, while maintaining a cot and baby items in her home as a sign of her enduring hope.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1wlw2qj113o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss