Keira, a 39-year-old Greenlandic mother, recounts the heart-wrenching moment her newborn daughter, Zammi, was taken from her arms just two hours after birth. ‘I started counting the minutes from the moment she was born,’ Keira recalls, her voice trembling. ‘When they took her, I sobbed uncontrollably, whispering ‘sorry’ to my baby. It felt like a part of my soul died.’ Keira’s story is not unique. She is one of many Greenlandic families living in Denmark who have had their children removed by social services following parental competency tests, known as FKUs. These tests, which include cognitive tasks, personality assessments, and interviews, have been criticized for being culturally biased and linguistically inappropriate, as they are conducted in Danish rather than Kalaallisut, the native language of most Greenlanders. In May 2023, the Danish government banned the use of FKUs on Greenlandic families after decades of criticism, but the tests continue to be used on other families. Despite the ban, only 10 cases involving FKUs have been reviewed, and no children have been returned to their families. Keira’s 2024 assessment concluded she lacked ‘sufficient parental competencies,’ a decision she disputes. She remains hopeful, keeping a cot and baby clothes ready for Zammi’s return. Meanwhile, other Greenlandic parents, like Johanne and Ulrik, whose son was adopted in 2020, face even steeper odds. The Danish government has stated it will not reopen adoption cases, leaving many families in limbo. The emotional toll on these parents is immense, as they fight to reclaim their children and preserve their cultural heritage.
Our babies were taken after ‘biased’ parenting test – now we’re fighting to get them back
