More News : In a shocking incident, authorities in Denmark separated a newborn from her mother just an hour after birth, sending the baby into foster care. The case has triggered widespread protests in Greenland, Denmark, Iceland, and beyond, with human rights groups calling it discriminatory and unlawful.
Ivana Nicoline Brønlund, an 18-year-old from Greenland and a former handball player, gave birth to her daughter, Aviaja-Luna, on August 11 near Copenhagen. However, within 60 minutes, police and social workers removed the baby from her arms.
Officials argued that Ivana was “unfit” to be a mother due to past trauma, and since the child’s father is serving a prison sentence for sexual abuse. They further claimed that a “parenting competency test” deemed her incapable. But the test in question had already been banned in May 2025 for Inuit families, including Greenlanders. Authorities nonetheless subjected Ivana to the test earlier this year, completing it in June—despite the legal ban.
The move has fueled accusations of systemic discrimination against Inuit women. Ivana was reportedly warned during her pregnancy that her baby would be taken immediately after delivery. “I didn’t want to give birth, because I knew she would be taken away from me,” Ivana told activists.
She was allowed to see her daughter only once, for one hour, without being permitted to hold or care for her. Now, she has visitation rights just once every 15 days, for two hours. The case is scheduled to be heard in court on September 16.
Denmark’s Minister for Social Affairs, Sofie Hæstorp Andersen, has demanded answers from local authorities, emphasizing: “The law is clear—this test should never have been applied to Inuit families.”
Human rights groups argue that Ivana is being punished for her past trauma, not her present ability, and warn that both mother and child are suffering from the decision.
