Protests as newborn removed from Greenlandic mother after ‘parenting competence’ tests
Danish authorities removed a Greenlandic newborn after a banned cultural bias parenting test was used, sparking protests and calls for reform from Indigenous rights groups.
- On August 11, Ivana Nikoline Brønlund, an 18-year-old Greenlandic woman, delivered her daughter Aviaja-Luuna at a hospital near Copenhagen, but Danish officials removed the infant from her care just one hour after birth.
- The removal followed a parenting competence test administered during pregnancy, despite a ban on such tests for Inuit parents that took effect in May 2025.
- Critics argue these psychometric tests fail to capture real-life parenting skills or cultural context, leading to misclassification of capable Indigenous parents as unfit.
- Brønlund has limited supervised visits twice a month lasting two hours, and her appeal against the child removal will be heard on September 16, while protests occur across Greenland, Denmark, and Iceland.
- The case has reignited debate over Denmark's use of such tests, colonial legacy in child welfare, and the need for reforms balancing child safety with respect for Indigenous family rights.
32 Articles
32 Articles
A new law prohibiting the use of these controversial psychometric assessments in people of Greenlandic origin and the decision has sparked protests inside and outside the country
Since May, in Denmark, "parent competence tests" have been banned for Greenland families because they are racist. Nevertheless, after such a test by a mother with Greenlandic roots, authorities take away her baby.
A mother lost custody of her child just an hour after her birth following a controversial test of parenting skills, which is not supposed to have been passed by Greenlandese people, as is the mother of the child. ...
Danish authorities adopted the baby, although a law since this year prohibits testing people with Greenlandic backgrounds. Protests in Greenland, Denmark, Iceland and Ireland are planned.
For lawyers, such examinations are considered culturally unfit for the people of the Arctic and therefore racist. The decision has provoked protests...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium