Prague/Oslo, March 14 (CTK) – Norway will have a new office as from July that will inform the Czech Republic from the beginning about the Czech families who would be investigated in cases of their children who, if possibly taken away from their parents, would be sent to the Czech Republic, Aktualne.cz writes yesterday.
Now, the cases are dealt with by the social service Barnevernet and the children taken from their parents are kept in Norway.
The novelty does not apply to the children who have already been taken away from their parents, Barnevernet directorate adviser Agnete Krogvig told the server.
Zdenek Kapitan, director of the Office for International Legal Protection of Children, confirmed the information.
Barnevernet has gained notoriety in the Czech Republic for the case of the Michalak brothers whom it took away from their Czech mother Eva Michalakova.
Norway signed the Hague Convention on protection of children last week. The document orders international cooperation.
Krogvig said a new authority will be established in Norway. It will contact the Czech Republic right when it starts investigating a Czech family.
According to Aktulane.cz, Norway is ready to leave the resolution of cases in which authorities would suspect neglect or abuse of a child to courts in the country from which the family comes.
Kapitan said not even the Norwegians know more details about how new cooperation will function.
Krogvig told the server the information about the new institution is one week old.
Barnevernet took Michalakova’s sons from her five years ago on suspicion of neglected care and abuse. This was not confirmed, but the court considered the findings too serious and placed them in foster care. Michalakova rejects the suspicion. The case has not yet been closed.
