Unfeeling U.S. Agencies Confiscate Children from Indian Parents

October 3, 2017

In the past year or so, this blog has posted many sad stories coming out of Europe, Norway in particular, about the abuse many families have received by those whose job it is to help struggling families. It is a great tragedy of our times. I know that similar problems in America have been mentioned occasionally but perhaps not enough.

Many U.S. citizens have written on the topic but a credible Human Rights Activist from India is also voicing concerns.

An article with the above title can be found HERE in the Sunday Guardian Live with the subtitle:

“Legal experts, doctors, and investigative journalists alleged that the US child protection agencies were biased and used flawed techniques to detect abuse.”

A portion of the article…

“Suranya Aiyar, a New-Delhi based lawyer, who has been providing counsel and aid to Indian families in the US, Norway and other countries to help them get back their confiscated children, recently submitted a “Report on Indian and India-Origin Children Confiscated by the United States Child Protection Agencies” to the Ministry of External Affairs. Based on her extensive case study of 12 Indian families, who were falsely accused of child abuse, her report sheds light on the US agencies’ many biases and flawed methodology. The report wants a travel advisory to be issued to young Indian families moving to the US of possible confiscation of their children as, in most cases, the victim families are not aware of what might goad the child protection agencies to initiate action against them.”

I have watched Suranya’s tireless attempt at publicizing cases like the ones mentioned in the article and I so appreciate her ability to bring interest to the subject through articles and interviews in the news media and in social media.

This is the first in a series of Sunday Guardian Live articles which I will post here as they are published.

Suranya made an announcement this week on Facebook:

“Hello folks! I am proud to announce that my website http://www.saveyourchildren.in is launched! Also, from tomorrow, The Sunday Guardian will run a series in collaboration with me called “Global Child Rights, And Wrongs”. It will have essays from experts on this issue around the world. Thank you to all who supported my work in this area. I could *not* have done it without you! Enjoy this video – which sums it all up!”

FACEBOOK LINK TO VIDEO

The new site was very impressive in my first review. The SAVE YOUR CHILDREN website will be a great resource in many ways.

I was not surprised by Suranya’s announcement. Professor Marianne H. Skanland, who needs no introduction to readers here, kindly let me know of Suranya’s plans. More importantly, Marianne has published a very interesting GROUP OF LINKS to:

“Articles in the internet edition of the Chicago Tribune around 15 years ago reported on the federal government of the USA in 1997 pressing for increased adoption of foster children. Eager compliance from social agencies may also have increased the taking of children into care.”

GROUP OF LINKS

Sadly, the same psychobabble that happens in Norway does occur in the U.S. The main difference at this point seems to be that American due process (fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen’s entitlement) seems less corrupt.

Chris Reimers

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Norwegian Officials Steal Another Baby From His Loving Parents

July 19, 2017


By Steven Bennett

Norwegian couple, Sylvia (44) and Trond Rikard Ensby (40) thought that they would get some help when they stayed at a mother’s home in Norway, but instead, Norway’s Child Welfare System, barnevernet took away their precious baby boy, because he didn’t pass the baby IQ test.

The parents are a wonderful couple – AND ARE NOT criminals! There have a wonderful family around them as well, including Ruth, a heart broken grandmother who so dearly misses her only grandchild.

The court of appeal has now ruled that this mother and father will not see their precious baby boy again and their son has now been put up for adoption, without any of his relatives being considered.

There’s absolutely nothing in Sylvia’s history that says she had been diagnosed as mentally retarded. This is serious negligence in the system.

And, this is just one sick example that shows how Norway’s Child Welfare System, barnevernet is truly an evil, remorseless, oppressive, dysfunctional, child and family destroying system of terror!
Trond Rikard Ensby commented:

“Even though we were prepared, it was a shock to get the verdict, for us it is incomprehensible. The first few days after the sentence, I felt completely empty. The entire experience has been very tough, but we’ve been in it.”

Sylvia and Trond Rikard Ensby’s lawyer, Marie Sølverud is working on an appeal to the Supreme Court, and if necessary, they will proceed to the European Court of Human Rights. “We have nothing to lose and we must try all possibilities for our son’s sake.”

The couple’s lawyer, Marie Sølverud also states:
“It’s a very serious, sad and wrong judgment. The case will be appealed. I think it is hard to say anything about how the Supreme Court is going to deal with the matter. If it’s necessary, we will appeal to the ECHR (European Court of Human Rights).”

In the lawyer’s opinion, she strongly responded to the fact that the court did not take into account the reports of two expert psychologists, who believe the child should be returned to the parents.
Welcome to the Brave New World of Norway!
__________________________

My thoughts:

First, I would like to thank Steven Bennett for his unending battle to educate all of us about the evil Barnevernet (Norwegian Child Welfare Services). Steven is a Christian who lives in Austria and has become one of the best authorities on this subject outside of Norway.

Second, As events like this happen in Norway on a daily basis, I can’t say I’m surprised. Each new case, however, makes the Norwegian situation more horrific. As Steven has noted, this is evil, plain and simple.

Third, I saw Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, standing behind President Trump at the recent G-20 summit. It was a little over a year ago that an online protest about the Barnevernet ended up on Ms. Solberg’s FB page. Hundreds of complaints were “voiced” and continued to pour in until the post was completely deleted. It was a conversation that got a bit heated but it should have been allowed to remain as many articulated their feelings about the NCWS. The Leaders of Norway know the problem. It remains to be seen if enough Norwegians and pressure from outside of Norway will be able to end these evil decisions.

Last, I wish my Norwegian friends to know that they are in my prayers. The two Norwegian situations that I have followed here, Ken’s and Amy’s, remain unresolved. Both stories are tragic and are representative of so many other sad stories coming out of a country that is supposed to be “one of the happiest places to live.” For those of you who followed Nadia and Caspian’s story here, they are doing very well and Caspian is thriving in the presence of his loving mother.

Chris Reimers

SOURCE (The story as it appears on Steven Bennett’s Facebook page)

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LET THE CHILDREN BE SET FREE

November 15, 2016

It is, once again, time to share information about worldwide human rights abuses. Back in April, I shared this video featuring children wearing shirts naming real abused Norwegian children. The song was written and performed by Cristian Cazacu. He explains the purpose of the song in a video below.

A modern worldwide movement has begun. The epicenter is the country of Norway.

Norway’s CPS, called the Barnevernet, has such an atrocious record when it comes to separating children from biological parents for little or no reason that cities all over the world held demonstrations earlier this year. Hot Springs, Arkansas was one of those cities. The demonstrations in Norway continue and the issue has made many aware of similar problems in other countries. There has been good news and bad news in Norway since this video was made.

The Good News

A few high profile cases have been won in court, not a common thing in Norway. The people of Norway are becoming more aware of the internal problems and, despite a great amount of pressure, the numbers of protesters is growing.

The Bad News

It appears that new laws are being discussed that will increase the powers of an already frightening and disastrous system. Norwegians continue to be intimidated and scared by a government “Child Protection” service that appears to fear nothing, even condemnation by international human rights groups.

**

Recently, a local state legislator whom I know discovered a similar problem with Arkansas’ DCFS. Evidence has surfaced in a local case that information was “covered up.” Unlike Norwegian politicians, my local State Senator is confronting the issue.

In a recent FB post, my State Senator wrote:

“The legislature passed laws dictating that DCFS and juvenile courts first try to place children with relatives before foster care. Some DCFS employees and some judges are reluctant to follow that law. They fear that a relative that has not been vetted “might” harm the child. That is a legitimate fear. But why is that more of a fear than that a foster parent may hurt a child? And how about the proven trauma to children when they are completely separated from their entire family and support network?”

He also pointed out how a mother from Los Angeles, California won $3,000,000 in a lawsuit and that similar lawsuits will be started in Arkansas if necessary. The Californian mother’s child had been taken for no good reason like so many cases in Norway.

The Norwegian Barnevernet seldom tries to place children with relatives. In cases that I am aware of, children are split up and never see their siblings again until they are 18 or older. The Barnevernet is not afraid of lawsuits because it has abused its power in many cases over many years without repercussion.

What can be done?

Like my State Senator, Norwegian politicians have to become concerned. My State Senator became concerned because of his Christian convictions and his decency as a human being. Norwegian politicians must know of this problem as their country has become the focus of worldwide attention.

I have tried to remember to contact the Norwegian Prime Minister every so often via her Facebook page. I will try and do this every other day, expressing my concerns, from this day forward. Her name is Ms. Erna Solberg and you can get to her facebook page by clicking HERE.

A Facebook friend of mine has created an excellent blog site with information about how you can contact important authorities in Norway. If enough of us make comments, along with pressure from within Norway, maybe Norwegian leaders will see that a change cannot be avoided.

Here is the website and a big thank you to Mike Snow who has rightly pointed out that, “A few people contacting politicians are only looked at as a nuisance. A thousand people posting and emailing information to them would feel like a Tsunami!”

LIGHT FOR DARK TIMES

At this site, you can click on a link to Solveig Horne’s (Minister of Children and Equality, Barnevernet head) Facebook Page.

You can also get to it by clicking HERE.

Together, we can make a difference.

Chris Reimers

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NADIA AND CASPIAN…UPDATE #18

October 30, 2016

Caspian and Nadia

Caspian and Nadia

Today, a lengthy article about Nadia and Caspian appeared in a Norwegian media source named the Dagbladet. I have translated the article from Norwegian to English and a good amount of the information in the article can be found in updates here. It is a good article about Nadia’s case and it appears that most of my Norwegian friends agree. It contains information that I find very concerning, however. My understanding is that articles that appear “neutral” are very outnumbered by pro-Barnevernet articles in Norwegian news sources. Here are few quotes from today’s article and my take:

“In early May this year, the 27-year-old mother told of mothers home, where she lived along with her son, that she would be deprived of her baby. In fear and panic she contacted a child critical network she came across on social media.”
Horne: – “I was not aware that such networks exists. The danger is that innocent children suffer.”
“The network uses a first chauffeur who drove the mother and son ‘from A to B’. They were then handled of the couple in western Norway as the kk live with indefinitely.”

“Horne” is Solveig Horne, Norwegian Minister of Children and Equality. I WROTE THIS LETTER TO HER BACK ON JUNE 3RD.

For some reason, I have ended up in a position where certain people trust me to keep information private. It is a great compliment. Because of this trust, I have learned things. If I have been left in the dark about some secret “network,” so be it. As far as I’m aware, there is no “network” as the word is used here. This “talk” of a “network” makes it sound like there is an underground railroad of sorts. If there were this type of “network,” the people I know are clever enough to make it work. Norwegian children identified as those in danger of being stolen by the Barnevernet of Norway would be ushered out of the country just like Harriet Tubman helped the slaves find freedom during the American Civil War. The only “network” I am aware of is a group of people who know human rights abuses when they see them and wish to help in some legal way. The obvious paranoia of Norwegian officials with the terminology of a “network” where “innocent children suffer” has a reason: GUILT! The only network I have seen in Norway that comes close to this definition is the Barnevernet itself.

No “network,” as used in the context in the article, worth its salt would keep a child inside of Norway. That’s a given. Nadia and Caspian were helped by friends and strangers who did the right thing. To say that Margaret Hennum is part of this kind of “network” is fanatical. Margaret Hennum is a kind person who saw someone in trouble and helped her. Let’s use the correct term for Margaret’s family. They are not “networkers” in the sense that Ms. Horne used the term; they are Good Samaritans.

Margaret has commented about today’s publication: “…the article in Dagbladet shows that CPS and police have broken laws.”

Margaret also made this comment to me: “I am extremely happy for the Dagbladet report…! It was really a good one, and the journalist will write more!”

If Margaret is satisfied, it must be a good article. It will be interesting to see what the journalist writes next.

Back to the article:

“Neither child mother, the driver or the couple who helped her are prosecuted for their actions because none of them have committed a criminal offense in this case. When mother and baby left the maternal home on 5 May, she stood free to go there with their children. She was there on a voluntary stay, and CPS had no decision was issued about her children. Therefore, suffer not the mother of the Criminal Code provisions on care evasion. The driver and couple in western Norway cannot be punished for their participation.”

Nadia’s lawyer Harold Grape is noted and quoted at length.

“Grape believes police comprehensive action, with house searches with driver and telephone tracking of mother and supporters, is contrary to law.”
“The lawyer claims that the child welfare service must have submitted false reporting to police. – In this case, the child welfare crossed the line, and the government has acted as a guardianship State.”

Then there is this:

“After the new Penal Code came into force on 1 October 2015, risking parents increasingly becoming prosecuted if they escape from child welfare with their children.”

This is how the article ends.

“A Supreme Court ruling on 22 January 2013 stated that a mother who had run from an emergency decision with their two children could not be kept in prison, when an urgent decision does not mean that CPS has taken over the care of the child.
“Under the new Penal Code, it is a criminal offense to escape from an emergency decisions.”

I have only shared a small portion of the article. You can use Google Translate to see the rest yourself. THE ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND HERE.

It seems that the Barnevernet made a mistake in Nadia’s case and Nadia’s lawyer was able to use that to help Nadia get her own child back. Mr. Grape noted that the child welfare service must have submitted false reporting to the police.

Thus, here is my understanding and I would like anyone to correct me if I am wrong:

As long as the Barnevernet finds a reason to declare an emergency decision in a case, it is a criminal offense to escape from it. In other words, the child welfare services of Norway need only do as it sees fit and as long as they make no “mistakes” there will not be another case like Nadia’s.

My hope is that litigation over what constitutes an “emergency decision” becomes the norm if nothing has changed as I fear. It seems that there continues to be little question from politicians and media sources about individual BV cases in Norway. This is why the Barnevernet has gotten away with “stealing” for years until they have became so brazen that they tried to steal five children from Ruth and Marius Bodnariu. Not only did they try to steal them, they wanted to split them from one another as they have done with so many other families. Most are of the opinion that if it hadn’t been for worldwide outrage the Barnevernet would have been successful in destroying another wonderful family.

There are those who feel the Barnevernet has gotten in trouble over its mishandling of Nadia’s case. I hope this is so. At the same time, I see no admittance of any wrong doing. Everyone is relieved, as they should be, that a mother has her beloved child back. My concern is that there will be even fewer articles about people like Nadia written in the Norwegian media. I think the Barnevernet will only be more careful that it follows its own protocols, protocols that are unquestioned by those who have the power to do something about human rights offences.

Please convince me that I am very wrong.

Chris Reimers

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Norway to allow foreign women to abort healthy twin

October 26, 2016

“He’s picking on Norway again.” I know someone reading this will have that thought. Many Americans think they are better than Norwegians and I’ve heard that many Norwegians think they are better than Americans. In my opinion, there is no “better.” Comparing these two countries is like watching a race to the bottom. One of America’s presidential candidates has no problem with a horrific procedure which kills a child. I cannot take humanity out of the equation, but if I could, “What kind of society kills its most valuable ‘asset’ before it is born?” It is an insane society. What kind of society kills a young child by any means? It is an insane society.
Now, the latest from one of the most “educated” countries on the planet and I am sick of it….cr

“Norway’s health authorities have ruled that foreign women pregnant with twins should be allowed to abort one fetus in Norwegian hospitals, even if it is perfectly healthy.

The ruling, made by Norway’s Ministry of Health, is expected to open the way for women from neighbouring Sweden and Denmark, who where the procedure of ‘selective reduction’ is not permitted in the same way.

‘All women, regardless of whether they are Norwegian or foreign women residing in Norway have the same right to abortion and fetal reduction,’ Torunn Janbu from Norway’s Directorate of Health told NRK.

The hospitals are not required to ask for a fixed address, opening up the way for a new form of abortion tourism.”

THE REST OF THE ARTICLE

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Resounding victory for the child protection demonstrators!

October 25, 2016

Demonstrators get outside help – and the child protection Minister becomes paralyzed!

By Olav Sylte, lawyer

They demonstrate in front of the Norwegian Parliament and are heatedly active on the internet, their common denominator being that they think the justice system is not working at all. At least not when it comes to Norwegian child protection (CPS) – Barnevernet. Now they may have found acceptance for being at least partially right.

Norway is in fact no longer considered to be typically best in class, at least not in an honest way, and this apparently also applies to child protection and the legal system.

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

The question I am raising here is not that of exploitation of natural resources, pollution or the use of dope in sports, but the basic issue of whether Barnevernet’s intervention in families and homes has been “necessary” interference in these families in the human rights sense.

The alternative is that it may have been grave transgression of human rights.

Article 8-2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is the rule that states the requirement of “necessity”, and this is what has been subject to debate lately.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)

My reason for taking this up now is that the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has set in motion this year something resembring a unique, grand action against our child protection and justice system.

In a European context, it is rare that something like this happens. So it does not really surprise me that our Minister of Children and Equality had to give a rather sensational statement to the daily news on October 18.

The action started with the ECtHR admitting a Norwegian child protection case about forced adoption, to be considered under the possibility of violation of ECHR Article 8 last year. Human rights jurist Marius Reikerås was the one to submit the case and according to the media, he has had to move abroad as a result of his activity.

This case has probably, in conjunction with extensive demonstrations and criticism of the Norwegian child protection system over the past year, opened a fertile ground for other cases to get through the narrow needle’s eye which the ECtHR usually keeps.

The action revolves around the investigation of, so far, 7 Norwegian cases, several of them about adoption, and the question of whether ECHR article 8, including the requirement of “necessity”, has been violated.

(About the action: “Angriper barnevernet – Storoffensiv mot Norge: Menneskerettsdomstolen skal granske sju norske barnevernsaker” (Attacks Barnevernet – Grand offensive against Norway: The ECtHR is to investigate 7 Norwegian child protection cases) )

Even the fact that so many cases on the same issue have been admitted for proceedings, justifies the assertion that child welfare critics have already achieved a resounding win over Norwegian Barnevernet and the legal system that we have.

No self-criticism on the part of Barnevernet

Norwegian child protection gives the impression that the opposite has happened, and pretends that they do not even know of the ECtHR’s recent activity.

To illustrate this, I can mention a case on adoption in which I represented the parents before a County Board a few days ago.

In this case the municipality’s lawyer held that the human rights provision is not even applicable in matters of adoption, even though adoption is the most intrusive and serious intervention which the authorities can use against parents who do not agree to having their child adopted away.

The municipal lawyer claimed not to have heard anything about the ECtHR being involved in any proceedings regarding forced adoption, and had absolutely no knowledge of any activity of the ECtHR this year.

Certainly the central child protection authorities do not seem to have issued any instruction to curtail anything.

The Attorney General

Even the Attorney General, who has a habit of supporting the practice of the authorities, has recently stated that he is aware that the Norwegian child protection system may have got “out of control”.

This was in the summer. Subsequently, two more Norwegian cases were admitted to the ECtHR for consideration in the Court (the number of cases thus being increased from 5 to now 7).

( His statement: “Det norske barnevernet under lupen” (Norwegian Barnevernet under close scrutiny) )

Paralyzed Minister

The headline in the newspaper Dagbladet said that the Minister of Children and Equality, too, does not rule out the possibility that Norwegian Barnevernet and the justice system may systematically have violated human rights, like the critics have over several years claimed they do. This at least is my interpretation, based on the newspaper report, of what the Minister said.

I hope somebody will as soon as possible explain to Minister Horne that she is in fact responsible and can issue instructions as she sees fit.

The responsible Minister is expected to immediately have her Ministry instruct all Barnevern offices in the country to change tack before it is too late.

The correction may come from outside

The assertion and the lack of information about the media image shown by the municipal lawyer I mentioned above, may serve as an illustration of the Norwegian child protection system and the zealous legal system that we have.

We have a system which does not dare to admit that it may have made terrible errors, in matters of basic human rights and dignity. That is actually what ECHR Article 8 really is about.

When even the Minister does not manage to take action before it is too late, but just concludes that something may be wrong, there is perhaps only one option left, and that is that the correction must come from outside.

I assume that if this is the case, what happens might be somehat more brutal. Only time will tell and the minister still has a few months to clean house.

Further limitation of the freedom of expression of the involved parties

I have written about this subject for many years. I have also been reported to the Bar Association’s disciplinary unit for it. This is the side of Minister Horne which I have seen, besides the article in Dagbladet.

( More here: “Bufdir til klagesak mot advokat” (The directorate for child protection makes complaint against lawyer) )

Furthermore, a year ago I wrote the following:

“If someone is to be criticized besides the psychologist in the current case, it is above all the Norwegian courts with the Supreme Court in the lead. This because the threshold for intervention in private homes may have been set too low in general, and probably all too often in violation of ECHR Article 8. I have yet to see someone criticize, with similar campaigns, the Norwegian courts for this.”

I believe this claim is just as relevant today – but this is of scant help for those who have already lost their children. They can, however, expect to be invited by Horne to seminars, in the election campaign of the Progress Party which has started.

• • •
Olav Sylte is a Norwegian lawyer who has represented the families in many child protection cases, and who is also active writing articles about such issues in e.g. periodicals, newspapers and on his website Rett og urett (Justice and injustice). The Norwegian original of this article, “Brakseier for ‘barnevernsdemonstrantene’!”, was published on October 19, 2016.
This English version is published here with the author’s kind consent.
• • •

Thank you to Professor Marianne Haslev Skånland for making me aware of this article and for obtaining permission for me to print it here. I have found Professor Skanland to be one of the most knowledgeable Norwegians on this tragic subject.

THE ORIGINAL POST MAY BE VIEWED HERE.

cr

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Always Aria

October 16, 2016


Imagine…..

You are born in a country with breathtaking beauty. At five years old life is good. You live with your mother on a small island and you have relatives, including uncles, who are good role models for you. You don’t know your father’s story.

When you are seven, unfriendly people start coming around. They are bothering your mother. Later in life you will look back and remember your mother as good, maybe as even spoiling you a bit.

Your mother has heard stories of how other little children are taken by these bad people. She decides to move from the beautiful Island to a country where she thinks you will be safe.

You are nine years old. You don’t want to leave everything you know but you are obedient to your mother.

Your mother is a hard worker and finds work quickly in the new country. You are staying in a hotel. You and your mother have only been in the new country two weeks. Your mother is at work when, suddenly, police officers storm the hotel and forcefully remove you. You never find out the real reason that you were taken.

Imagine…..

You are taken to a terrible place and you are locked in a dark bedroom. Afraid, you start screaming and crying. Adults threaten to beat you if you are not quiet. You look out the key hole all night just to see some light. Here, you will be beaten for not brushing teeth the right way. Moved to a different and larger place, you are put in a school that is very big. The language is different. Still scared and not understanding the language, the bullies of the school target you. You fight back, get expelled, and get moved again.

Now, you think you are in hell. Physical and sexual abuse are common in this new place.

Your mother comes and tries to rescue you. You are eleven when you find out that you have a new little sister. You tell your mother about some of the abuse during visitations but, of course, you don’t mention the sexual abuse.

Your mother is finally successful and is able to get you back. It is wonderful but inside you feel dirty. You feel like your life has been ruined. You are angry and your mother has a difficult time controlling you.
You are moved away from your mother again and placed in a foster home. You never find out why you have been moved away from your mother for the second time. You are not placed with loving relatives who may have gladly taken care of you in the country with the beautiful Island. It is not even considered.

Imagine…..

You are now a teenager and you understand that your foster parents don’t love you. You are simply a tool for them to make money so that they can have their own family. The anger continues to build in your heart. As soon as the home they are building is complete and they have their own baby, you are thrown out. Two others are thrown out with you.

You are moved to another “institution.” You have come to hate these places. At 16, you are kicked out and the bad people pay for your own apartment.

You are very excited to have your “freedom.” However, years of neglect and anger have its effect.

You make bad decisions, wind up in jail, and receive an 18 month sentence. You are then “sold” into a new foster family. You now understand that your only importance is for others to profit off of your life. The anger continues to build. This foster home is like most of the others. It is not a happy place and the marriage ends in divorce.

You are 18. About this time, you find out that your mother became a heavy drinker after you were taken by the cruel people. You also hear the sad news that your mother has fallen out of a window and died.

You have little respect for authority figures and wind up in and out of trouble. You become involved in criminal gangs and drugs. You spend more time in jail. In jail, you notice that many of those serving time have a story similar to yours. Later, you will discover that the majority of those who are taken from a loving family end up in the same situation.

In 2004, you are sent back to the country with the beautiful Island. You are almost 30. Despite all of the money “spent on you” by the bad people (you now know they are called the Barnevernet), you know that no one really cares. You have been sent back to your country to complete a prison sentence.

When released, you finally find a place where you are excepted. You join the motorcycle gang that respects your abilities. They become the first family you have known since you were taken by the Barnevernet of Denmark when you were nine.

Imagine…..

You meet a beautiful young lady and fall in love. She becomes pregnant with your child. For months you prepare for the coming of this child. Everything is ready, even the crib. The nightmare that has been your life for over 30 years is over.

Your daughter is born on January 13th, 2015 at 10:53 am. You have never experienced such joy. Memories of your own childhood return. You now have your own family. You realize that you have made mistakes in the past and take responsibility for them. You are determined that your daughter will have a better life than you have experienced. You leave your past behind. You will be better than those who have wronged you.

Your daughter is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen, equaling and possibly even surpassing the beauty of her mother. She is much more beautiful than anything in the beautiful land you remember growing up in. You name her Aria.

Imagine…

After only two days in the hospital, the Barnevernet comes to the hospital and takes Aria away. The nightmare is not over; it has only become worse. The anger that has been stilled during the days of waiting for the birth of your daughter returns stronger than ever.

Aria’s mother and Aria are reunited and sent to a “home” for observation. You are not allowed to have any contact with them.

Aria is taken from her mother by Norway’s Barnevernet on January 22nd, 2015. She is not even 10 days old.

You ask for a reason for such cruel and evil treatment.

Imagine…..

You are given a reason. You are told that children brought up in Barnevernet care “will not have a chance in the future to be able to be caring enough to have a child.”

Eventually, after many court hearings, a decision is made that you get to see Aria four times a year. Each visit will be two hours.

You are now beyond anger. You know what happened to you in Barnevernet’s “care.” You have several choices. Most of them are not good and will put you right back in prison, unable to be a voice for Aria and others like her.

It is difficult to sleep but you decide to do everything you can, the way a good father would, to put an end to the cruel CPS system that has controlled so much of your life. Your daughter has changed you. Your integrity is important to you. You know that the Barnevernet is looking for any reason to take even your visitations away from you. You do everything you can to try and get the cruel system to give you your daughter back. You speak at protests and educate others about your story, hoping that it will lead to opening the eyes and hearts of so many blind and evil people.

You are aware that people outside of your country are shocked to hear stories like yours. You do what you can to educate foreigners about the evil system that has taken hold in Norway.

You find out that some things about the Barnevernet have changed since you were in the “system.” Some things have gotten worse. The Barnevernet is now allowing foster parents to change the names of children. You find out about a child who was taken from his mother for no good reason before he was two years old. He has had his name changed at least twice.

No one will change Aria’s name. They may try but it will always be Aria.

Your daughter will be two years old in a few months. You will fight with the last fiber of your being for the rest of your life to have the family that God has given you. The Barnevernet has denied you the best gift that God has ever given you. You have heard the Bible verse: “You reap what you sow.” You know it is true. In time, and with the prayers of your friends, you hope to reap the good reward of all of the sacrifices you have made to bring the criminals to justice.

Until then it will be…always Aria.

Imagine…..

(cr)

Places to follow this true story:

BABY ARIA AND THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE

JUSTICE FOR BABY ARIA AND HER FAMILY

Ken, Aria, and Vibeke
Ken, Aria, and Vibeke

18 Comments | BIG GOVERNMENT, Commentary, Education, LIFE | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Chris

Another Attack on Christian Freedom

October 15, 2016


My friend, Octavian Curpas, a resident of Arizona, sent this story to me. I am always saddened by any article like this one. I am particularly bothered when young Christians, who are trying to serve God through their talents, are treated in this ungodly manner. The story was posted only two days ago, October 13, 2016, at thearizonatelegraph.com.

cr

Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski met at a Starbucks café in north Phoenix in January 2015. Both were Christians, and both were artists. They decided to go into business together, combining their love for Jesus with their love for making beautiful things. Soon they launched Brush & Nib Studio, a for-profit art business that sells hand-drawn invitations and paintings.

According to the Alliance Defending Freedom, a leading Christian legal-defense organization, “As Christian artists, Joanna and Breanna had a simple goal for their studio: to recreate the beauty God placed all around us and to share that beauty with others. And this goal made it natural for Joanna and Breanna to focus on artwork for weddings.”

This article explains the case:

https://adflegal.org/article/explaining-brush-nib-studio-case

Thankfully, in September of 2019 The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in favor of Joanna and Breanna, recognizing that Phoenix cannot force artists to express messages that violate their religious beliefs.

1 Comment | BIG GOVERNMENT, Commentary, Education, Love of God, News | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Chris

Federal Debt in FY 2016 Jumped $1,422,827,047,452.46–That’s $12,036 Per Household

October 4, 2016

I keep asking this question:

“How can God bless a nation that has turned its back on Him?

I’m sure He could if He wanted to, but why would America be different than every other country in world history, including Israel?

Here’s the author, the beginning of the article, and the link to the remainder of the article:

By Terence P. Jeffrey | October 3, 2016 | 4:36 PM EDT

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
(CNSNews.com) – “In fiscal 2016, which ended on Friday, the federal debt increased $1,422,827,047,452.46, according to data released today by the U.S. Treasury.”

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ARTICLE

and another quote:

“The total federal debt of $19,573,444,713,936.79 now equals about $165,575 per household.”

This is only one of many problems that our descent from true Christianity has caused.

cr

Related stories: IMF says global debt tops $152 trillion, urges some to spend more

IMF warns of risks to global economy as debt hits record $152trn

The World’s Economic System Failing Fast: China on Brink

7 Comments | BIG GOVERNMENT, Commentary, Education, News, theology | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Chris

The National Notice of Concern

September 28, 2016

The situation within Norwegian Child Protection Services

This Notice, addressed to the Minister of The Department for Children, Equality and Inclusion, has been signed by more than 200 professionals; about. 30 Psychologists, 50 Lawyers, a number GP’s and other Health Workers including Child Protection Officers, Expert Witnesses and University Professors.

A number of professionals due to career reasons, do not wish to officially state their support. The current situation within Norwegian Child Welfare Services and System gives rise to profound concerns. As professionals and responsible citizens we consider ourselves accountable for clearly warning as follows: Under the current laws and practice in Norway an unknown number of children are suffering due to incompetence and abuse by authorities.

As a society we should no longer accept the prevailing situation. Our opinion is that it requires mobilisation of a stronger commitment among all dealing with the challenges facing Norwegian Child Welfare Services/System (our abbreviation NCWS). This applies to child welfare professionals, politicians, media and the general social debate. We all have to ensure that children and their families are not exposed to breaches of their human rights caused by incompetence or decision making processes within welfare and care organisations. This is especially so, given that these same organisations are meant to create welfare and care of actual needs.

An increasing number of professionals in interaction with NCWS are increasingly understanding that the system, in many situations, falls short of promoting the interest of children, and that there is a need for comprehensive changes. Experience suggests that initiatives so far being launched or planned are insufficient or inadequate. Ministers and department heads have promoted changes, but obviously this is not enough.

We would prefer having confidence in the professional expertise and discretionary decisions of the NCWS, and that these would help ensuring well founded actions and decisions. Similarly, we would like to believe that the legal rights of children and families are being maintained by the courts and their expert witnesses. Professionals, who have examined individual cases, all too often discover a completely different reality.

We know that there are many cases, where statutory services have had to intervene in family conflicts and take over the care of children. Many NCWS offices address this extremely demanding task in the best way possible. At the same time we regularly observe examples, where NCWS appears to be a dysfunctional organisation performing erroneously with subsequent serious consequences.

We observe cases where NCWS is failing to recognize obvious child abuse and serious lack of care within families. Thus they do not act timely with adequate interventions, which might have saved children from an unacceptable life situation. In such circumstances developing and agreeing on better methods of assessment will help children, suffering due to lack of care, getting adequate help quickly.

On the other hand there are cases where the NCWS transfer children from their homes based upon very weak evidence, characterised by speculative interpretation, disagreement between assessments and conclusions, and missing quality of measures that might otherwise have brought about change.

A serious matter is the lack of legal rights for families resulting from the close link between many expert psychologists and the NCWS. NCWS is their principal and employer, and frequently engages the same psychologists for assessments of the same case, as initially related to sanctioning emergency decisions to take over child care. When the parents appeal decisions to county boards and onwards through the court system, they learn that the NCWS has appointed the same expert witnesses as in earlier parts of the proceedings.

For the experts these are well paid assignments, and many professionals have these child protection cases as their only source of income. Thus the assigned expert witnesses may easily prefer to state expert opinions that support decisions already taken by the NCWS. Thus we encounter a situation of serious conflict of interest, which may constitute impaired legal protection of the vulnerable families involved in NCWS decisions.

When expert witnesses submit their reports and give evidence in the Courts, we often see that the observational basis upon which they report is very weak. Hence, their assessments are easily weak and abstract. Nevertheless, statements by experts appointed by the NCWS are given excessive emphasis when presented in court.

Judges are frequently entrusting the decision to be made to the expert witnesses. In some cases the biological parents have sufficient financial resources to appoint their own expert witnesses to study their case. In these cases judges appear to place less emphasis on these alternative conclusions.
Witness statements from privately appointed experts are not given the same status as those made by experts appointed by statutory services. Far too often we observe that biological parents, without sufficient financial resources, do not have any chance of a fair hearing when faced with a large and powerful statutory service. Consequently, we see that once decisions have been based upon weak observations and unverified interpretations, they are applied through all levels of the legal system.

On the basis of the portrayed representation above we contend that care arrangement decisions in an unknown number of cases fails at all professional and legal levels, and that devised safeguard mechanisms do not function as intended. For the families concerned the consequences are serious. Immigrant families are particularly vulnerable –they lose their children without opportunity to understand Norwegian culture, such as e.g. the Norwegian zero tolerance for physical punishment in child rearing. Many immigrants have grown up with physical punishment through generations, and they sincerely believe this to be in the best interest of their child.

Trust, respect and dialogue are most necessary tools in order to change what in Norway is considered unacceptable child raising violence. In the absence of these tools, a crisis of confidence between the NCWS and minority groups will emerge. We have closely observed this situation in many Norwegian municipalities. When conveying the explicit Norwegian view of success and failure in building good child care, a more self-critical stance is needed. At the same time, in Norway we need to develop increased insight into specific expressions of emotional attachment and care, as these are exposed in other cultures.

At times there is a shocking disagreement between the competencies found within the Local NCWS and its power, which this public institution is authorized to exert over families. It is hard to envisage any other area in our society where public service interferes so radically in people’s private lives.

Today’s situation shows that many of the functions and services of NCWS are not functioning at a standard justifying its use of power. Within NCWS examples show that authoritarian and closed systems/cultures are nurtured, thus exposing children and vulnerable families with the risk of being abused by community decisions. Legal protection in Norway is challenged, when the voices of children and vulnerable families stand minor chances of being heard.

Hardship is felt particularly strongly by families having insignificant financial or social resources to initiate their own legal case, and promote this through the legal system. A naive belief held by many is that NCWS protects all children in the best possible way, and that the checks and balances built into the system are adequate.
Unfortunately, this reinforces a sense of powerlessness felt by those children and families, who experience the opposite.

Oslo, June 2015

steven-bennett

Einar C. Salvesen
Gro Hillestad Thune
Elvis Nwosu
Thea Totland
Nina Witoszhek
———————————–
I found this Notice of Concern posted by one of my Facebook friends this week. Steven Bennett is a Christian man who has researched the Barnevernet thoroughly. He is a well-known activist outside of Norway who is concerned about the problems facing citizens there. From Austria, he has mounted a tremendous effort to share the truth of the issue via social media. Not only has he researched this subject in-depth, he has shared words of truth and encouragement with many, and he has done it all in a Christian way.

Here is Steven at the Symposium in Vienna:

9 Comments | BIG GOVERNMENT, Commentary, Education | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Chris

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