In a major policy change, Denmark has announced the end of controversial “parenting competency tests” for families with a Greenlandic background. These tests, which have been widely criticized for cultural bias, often led to the separation of Inuit children from their parents.
The decision comes after years of protests and warnings from human rights organizations about the unfair impact of the tests. The tests, called FKU (forældrekompetenceundersøgelse), were used in child protection cases but did not consider Greenlandic culture and language, leading to biased assessments.
The Danish government, in agreement with Greenland’s government, declared that a new approach would replace the tests. A specialized unit with expertise in Greenlandic culture and language will now assist in handling such cases. The decision follows rising tensions between Copenhagen and Nuuk and international attention sparked by U.S. interest in Greenland.
The tests gained renewed focus after the highly publicized case of a Greenlandic mother separated from her baby shortly after birth. Protests in Copenhagen and Nuuk brought the issue to the forefront, with campaigners demanding fair assessments and the reevaluation of past cases.
Greenland’s minister for children, Aqqaluaq B Egede, welcomed the decision, calling it a long-awaited step towards justice for Greenlandic families. The Danish Institute for Human Rights also praised the move, emphasizing the need for culturally appropriate assessments.
The Danish government has promised to review cases where these tests may have led to wrongful decisions, bringing hope for affected families. A bill to implement the new approach is expected to be passed by May 2025.
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