Two Christian parents have taken Sweden to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) after state authorities seized their two eldest daughters and put them into foster care, and now refuse to return them to their family, despite no evidence of abuse or neglect.
Sara and Tiana are aged 14 and 13 and have been separated from their parents for nearly three years.
Their five younger siblings have been allowed to stay with their parents, indicating authorities believed there was no threat to their welfare from their parents.
Daniel and Bianca Samson claim the Swedish child protection system wrongfully removed Sara and Tiana and violated their parental rights.
PARENTS ALLEGE DELAYS, OVERREACH AND RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION
The Romanian citizens who had lived in Sweden for nearly a decade, recently filed their case with ECHR, with support from human rights group ADF International.
ADF contends the case raises “serious concerns” about delays, overreach and possible discrimination against Christians in Sweden’s child welfare system.
The parents say their daughters who were 10 and 11 at the time, were taken into custody by Swedish social services in December 2022, after Sara, the oldest, made a false report of abuse to her school in a fit of pique, following her parents’ refusal to allow her a smartphone and make-up, citing her age.
The child promptly withdrew the allegation, but it was too late to halt a forensic investigation into her claims.
SWEDEN REFUSES TO RETURN GIRLS DESPITE NO EVIDENCE OF WRONGDOING OR INCOMPETENCE
Prosecutors found no evidence of wrongdoing and the investigation was closed.
Between January and June 2024, the parents completed a state-mandated parenting course, during which two therapists certified their competence.
However, Swedish authorities have continued to keep the sisters in state custody with no apparent concern for their welfare.
GIRLS KEPT SEPARATED, CAN SEE PARENTS ONCE A MONTH
Since June 2023, Sara and Tiana have been moved through at least three separate foster placements and have been kept far apart from each other.
The Samsons are allowed just one supervised visit with each daughter a month, but that has become difficult after the couple returned to Romania with their other five children while pursuing their battle to release Sara and Tiana.
They say both girls have pleaded to come home, but the state ignores their appeals.
SWEDEN ACCUSES CHRISTIAN PARENTS OF BEING “RELIGIOUS EXTREMISTS”
In legal proceedings, Sweden’s state lawyer called the family “religious extremists,” because of their regular church attendance three times a week, and their refusal to allow certain clothing or make-up.
The Samsons’ lawyers argue these are expressions of faith protected under international human rights law.
They cited Articles 8 and 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights which protect family life and religious freedom.
Daniel Samson said he turned to the Strasbourg-based court after every legal path in Sweden failed, including the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear their case last March.
PARENTS FEAR FOR THEIR DAUGHTERS’ MENTAL HEALTH
“We love our children. We trusted Sweden to protect them — and when the truth emerged, we expected our daughters to come home,” their father despaired.
“Yet they remain away from us, and their mental health continues to deteriorate,” he said.
The Samsons requested to have the girls transferred to the foster system in Romania, but that was refused.
The father has advocated before Romanian parliamentarians and engaged Romanian media in support of his family’s right to reunification.
“SWEDEN HAS PROLONGED THIS FAMILY’S SUFFERING”
“Despite a full investigation that cleared the Samsons of any abuse, Swedish authorities have prolonged this family’s suffering and have still not allowed the children to go home,” ADF International counsel Robert Morales Sancho asserted.
“This case strikes at the heart of every parent’s most fundamental right,” he added.
“The Samsons are living every parent’s worst nightmare, having lost their children to the state for nearly three years.”
GIRLS’ HEALTH DECLINES IN STATE CARE
“It is tragic and unacceptable that a child who recanted her allegations and yearns to be home, remains separated from her family, resulting in extended and severe mental distress.
”Tragically, her health has declined significantly while in the state’s care.”
ADF International reports she now battles severe physical and mental health issues and, according to their parents, both girls have attempted suicide.
SEPARATION TAKING A HEAVY TOLL ON GIRLS
Daniel Samson told the European Conservative that the separation has taken a heavy toll.
He said the girls have been moved between foster families located hundreds of kilometres apart, sometimes preventing visits for months.
He described one daughter as heavily medicated and emotionally withdrawn, saying: “The way she looks, she’s not looking at you. She’s looking through you.”
“You can come visit us daily. I will even allow you to put cameras in all the corners of the house, but please just let them return home,” Daniel reportedly told social workers before leaving Sweden.
“AN UNMISTAKABLE ELEMENT OF RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION”
ADF International argues that the family’s treatment shows “an unmistakable element of religious discrimination.”
Authorities reportedly confiscated the children’s religious materials, saying Biblical audio stories were too violent.
The Swedish government has previously stated: “All children in Sweden are protected and cared for equally under Swedish law.”
“A decision to take a child away from its family is always based on a significant risk of harm to the child’s health or development.”
SWEDISH MINISTER DENIES DISCRIMINATION
In February 2023, amid accusations that Muslim children were being removed without legal basis, a Minister for Social Services said: “I want to make it clear that Swedish legislation does not discriminate on the basis of sex or religion.”
“I also want to make it clear that Swedish social services do not kidnap children.”
However, the European Court of Human Rights has found multiple violations in child protection cases involving Norway, Spain and other countries, including rulings that states overstepped their authority by permanently separating families.
It has repeatedly condemned several states for systemic violations in family separation and child welfare cases.
ADF International writes: “These cases expose a troubling pattern of overreach and lack of accountability in European child protection systems.”
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