It should have been a story with the rights of three children at its center; has become another battleground over justice: no longer the story of children taken from their parents living in the forests of Abruzzo and now brought to the family home, but a fierce dispute between the government and the judiciary. “Kidnapping, serious matter” was the accusation coming from the executive. An action carried out based on “objective elements”, answered the ANM. All without taking into account the most important thing, the child’s condition. Of course, as emphasized by the family’s attorney who is already preparing an appeal against the court’s decision, they are “shaken” by everything that is happening around them.
The first to reignite the controversy was Justice Minister Carlo Nordio who on Friday, after speaking with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, had announced the possibility of sending inspectors. “Removing a child from a family is a very painful and serious act – he said today from Stresa, returning to the topic – so it is necessary to look into it further. At the moment it is too early to make any procedural considerations” but there will be, the Keeper of the Seals promised, “an in-depth investigation”. These words were followed by those of Matteo Salvini, which were even harsher. We are faced, said the Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, with the “kidnapping” of three children taken from their mother and father “in an inappropriate, alarming, dangerous and shameful manner”. Then the League leader reiterated his desire to go to Abruzzo “next week” and took another swipe at the judges: “judges and social workers don’t bother them. This story also shows that a deep, healthy and fair but unsuccessful judicial reform would be fundamental”.
Videos Children Removed from Family in Forest, Father: ‘Then let’s go back to Australia’
The allegations were addressed by the National Association of Judges, first with an official note from the board and then with secretary Rocco Maruotti. The action of the L’Aquila court, said the cape association, “was based on a technical evaluation and objective elements: safety, health conditions, access to society, compulsory schooling. And the measure was adopted with the sole aim of protection”. The regulations, Maruotti added, are “highly motivated”: politicians should read “the provisions before attacking with closed eyes” and not exploit them.
The Association of Judges for Minors and Families points out that judges “have an obligation to intervene” whenever they see “concrete and current reasons” to believe that the fundamental rights of minors are “compromised or even threatened.”
Videos Family in the forest in Abruzzo, juvenile court expelled the three children
A reading that was not liked by lawyers for Nathan and Catherine, the parents of the three children. The children, repeated the lawyer Giovanni Angelucci who is applying for the three to return to their parents, “have been vaccinated, have no social or even school problems, and the home has static conformity with the certificate issued last Monday that we will apply for”.
In short, no one can order the suspension of a couple’s parental rights. “These children have more real relationships than many of their peers who may have virtual friends on their phones. And the peaceful mobilization, which has occurred and will occur, of the residents of the area, shows the friendliness of this family,” the lawyer continued. Mobilization was also carried out online, where the petition ‘let’s save families living in the forest’ collected 90 thousand signatures in 10 days. Meanwhile, regarding schooling issues, these problems are resolved by the existence of provisions from competent comprehensive institutions “which validate parents’ requests to take advantage of parental education”.
We’ll see who’s right. What is certain is that currently the three children aged between 6 and 8 years are at the family home and can occasionally see their mother sleeping in another room. Of course it’s not an easy situation. “They were shaken – the lawyer admitted – but they experienced the situation in a strong and positive way because they knew that they were right and they were aware of this because their parents always made them aware of everything.”
Nordio: ‘It is very serious to remove children from families, we will carry out checks’
“Removing a child from a family is a very painful act, so further investigation is needed. An in-depth investigation must be carried out, at this time it is too early to make procedural considerations.” This is how Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, in Stresa, commented on the story of the three children of the Anglo-Australian couple Nathan and Catherine who lived in the forest in Palmoli, Abruzzo, removed last Thursday by the L’Aquila Juvenile Court and moved to a protected home.
“We have been bombarded for decades by prophets who say that we have to stop with consumerism, with technology, and we have to go back to nature. Maybe someone does and we need to see if this harms children’s education. I think parents are the first and must be aware of their duties,” added Nordio.
Salvini: ‘3 children kidnapped in an inappropriate way in Abruzzo’
“The kidnapping of three children taken from their mother and father in an undignified, disturbing, dangerous and shameful manner. I am committed to resolving this matter and if necessary will also speak with a juvenile court judge.” Matteo Salvini said at an event in Milan, they returned to the story of the children who lived with their families in the forest. “I will go to Abruzzo next week. Judges and social workers in Abruzzo do not bother us – he added -. This story also shows that a deep, healthy and fair but unsuccessful judicial reform would be fundamental”.
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