Details on Bodnariu Case

The Romanian authorities are trying, within the limits of their powers, to assist in the settlement of the Bodnariu issue.

Roxana Vasile, 14.01.2016, 13:32

The case of the Romanian — Norwegian family, settled in Norway, whose five children were taken by the local social services over alleged physical punishments from their parents, continues to generate emotional responses. Concurrently with street protests both in Romania and in the Romanian communities abroad, and with extensive media coverage, the Romanian authorities carry on, within the limits of their powers, to help the family get their children back. Romanian officials are constantly in touch with the Bodnarius, and referred them to two Norwegian lawyers who have dealt with similar cases before.

Meanwhile, the Romanian Ambassador to Oslo, Adrian Davidoiu, had talks at the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, where he emphasised that this is a social issue with a very significant media impact and suggested political cooperation in addressing it. Moreover, Ambassador Davidoiu also called for the integration of the children, aged between 3 months and 10 years, in the father’s extended family in Romania, requested permission for the parents to visit their children who are currently in foster care, and asked that the minors should not be separated. Raluca Lunculescu, spokesperson for the Romanian Foreign Ministry, provided further details on the case:

“The Romanian Ambassador requested access for the Romanian consul as an observer in the current stages of the proceedings. In this respect, the Norwegian party stressed that this request should also come from the family. He asked for support to allow the consul to see the children while in care. The Norwegian party answered that this is possible, provided that the best interests of the minors are not affected.”

Although the children in question also have Romanian citizenship, there are legal constraints restricting the involvement of the diplomats in Bucharest in the investigation taking place in Norway. Nonetheless, a delegation of the Romanian Parliament is to travel to Oslo.

On the other hand, in Bucharest, the Embassy of Norway announced having contacted the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the Parliament and the Prime Minister’s Office, in order to provide them with information on the Norwegian Child Welfare Service and the principles that it fosters. This Service, the Embassy explains, works for all children in Norway, regardless of their nationality and residence history, and its main concern is with the best interests of the child. According to data from the Romanian Foreign Ministry, so far 16 children from seven Romanian families have been taken by the Norwegian authorities. In five of the cases the proceedings ended with the repatriation of 8 minors, while 2 children were returned to Romanian citizens residing in Norway.

(Translated by Ana Maria Popescu)