At the end of last week The Parliamentary Committee of the Permanent Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution, expressing concern over how the family courts in countries like the UK, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Germany, handle children’s rights. The Sme daily wrote in its Tuesday, December 4 issue that these countries are facing debates over laws that enable forced adoptions, i.e. adoptions without the parents' consent.
The recently publicised cases that stirred debate and much controversy involved several Slovak families living in Great Britain who encountered problems with social authorities, and their children were taken into foster care and later slated for adoption. According to the passed resolution, forced adoptions should only occur in exceptional cases, Sme wrote.
Slovakia’s representative before the European Court for Human Rights, Marica Pirošíková, says that this resolution provides crucial instruction for countries on how to proceed in such cases. After adopting the resolution, member states should adapt and harmonise its legislation and judicial practice.
(Source: Sme)
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
