Romanian ambassador discusses Bodnariu child protection case with Norwegian authorities

Romania's ambassador in Oslo has discussed the Bodnariu child protection case at the Norwegian Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion and at the Foreign Ministry, where he proposed a political cooperation on the matter and proposed again the integration of the children in the father's extended family, Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) spokesperson Raluca Lunculescu announced in an evening press conference. 

"At the [Norwegian] Foreign Ministry, the ambassador stressed that this social case has a very strong emotional and media impact; he proposed setting up a political cooperation to manage this case; he reminded the proposition formulated by the ANPDCA [Romania's National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of the Child and Adoption] on the children's integration in the father's extended family in Romania, which is in the interest of children to grow up together in a familiar cultural and linguistic environment. The ambassador asked for allowing the Romanian consul in Oslo to visit minors in such circumstances, and handed the firm message of Romanian authorities (...) about their wish to enhance the political dialogue, the practical cooperation on the level of relevant authorities to identify a viable solution for the optimal management of such cases," Lunculescu stated at the MAE headquarters. 

According to her, Norwegian authorities assured there were judicial guarantees for the parents and restated that the Barnevernet [Norwegian Child Protection Services] has not called into question any religious matters. 

Lunculescu further detailed that the Romanian ambassador stressed at the meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion the superior interest of siblings to not be separated, and asked for the access of the Romanian consul as an observer in the current procedure steps. 

"On this topic, the Norwegian part stressed that the request must also come from the family. He [the ambassador] asked for support to allow the consul to visit the children in foster homes. The Norwegian side pointed out this isi possible, mentioning that such visits could be accepted by the child protection authorities, if the minor's superior interest is not harmed," she detailed. 

The MAE spokesperson asserted that the Norwegians agreed to have a working meeting of representatives of the ANPDCA and of similar institutions in Norway, to find coordination mechanisms for managing cases of Romanian children institutionalised in Norway. 

Moreover, Lunculescu said that the Norwegian authorities showed opening for talks with a delegation of the Romanian Parliament expected in Oslo next week. 

She also said that the Romanian ambassador, the embassy's consul and an expert from the MAE headquarters had met on Tuesday the Bodnariu spouses and their lawyer to analyse the stage of application of the procedures and the means for supporting the family in this case. 

"During the talks, the Bodnarius thanked the Romanian authorities for their support, for the assistance provided and for the approaches of the [diplomatic] mission and of the institutions in Romania. Two different Norwegian lawyers who have already dealt with similar cases and who are able to collaborate with the current counselor in this case were recommended to the family. (...) Only the family is allowed to complain about possible abuses of the Barnevernet, through their counsel, to the institution called Fylkesmannen [County Governor], which is the local representative of central authorities," Lunculescu explained. 

The Barnevernet has taken the five Bodnariu children away from their parents last November. Mr. Bodnariu, the father, is a Romanian citizen; his wife is Norwegian. AGERPRES