01:30Romania: Thousands rally against ‘kidnapping’ of children by Norwegian govt. in Bucharest
Over 1,000 protesters gathered outside the Romanian government's headquarters in Bucharest’s Victory Square, Saturday, urging Norwegian authorities to return the children who are said to have been 'stolen' by the Norwegian Child Welfare Service (Barnevernet) from families residing in Norway.
The protesters carried pictures of the children as well as signs reading "We support Bodnariu Family" and "the children belong to family". The children's uncle Daniel Bodnariu called on the Norwegian president "to empathise with the feelings of a mother who has raised her children and with the pain that she feels when she sees that her house is empty.”
The Bodnariu family case has sparked protests across Europe. A family consisting of one Romanian parent and one Norwegian parent had their five children taken into care. The parents' lawyer plans to challenge the decision in Norway's Superior Court, though no trial date has currently been set.
The care system in Norway has attracted widespread criticism. It is thought that up to 40 percent of children in Barnevernet custody are from an immigrant background.
01:30Over 1,000 protesters gathered outside the Romanian government's headquarters in Bucharest’s Victory Square, Saturday, urging Norwegian authorities to return the children who are said to have been 'stolen' by the Norwegian Child Welfare Service (Barnevernet) from families residing in Norway.
The protesters carried pictures of the children as well as signs reading "We support Bodnariu Family" and "the children belong to family". The children's uncle Daniel Bodnariu called on the Norwegian president "to empathise with the feelings of a mother who has raised her children and with the pain that she feels when she sees that her house is empty.”
The Bodnariu family case has sparked protests across Europe. A family consisting of one Romanian parent and one Norwegian parent had their five children taken into care. The parents' lawyer plans to challenge the decision in Norway's Superior Court, though no trial date has currently been set.
The care system in Norway has attracted widespread criticism. It is thought that up to 40 percent of children in Barnevernet custody are from an immigrant background.