Brussels – The story of the family living in the woods reaches Brussels. The story of Catherine Birmingham and Nathan Trevallion in Italy has been the subject of much debate and continues to be so. The couple’s decision to live in the woods, isolated from everything and everyone, in a house without essential services and without sending their children to school, led social services to remove the couple’s three minor children from their parents’ care and place them in a foster home. Now, Susanna Ceccardi (League/PfE) wants to know whether the decision to separate the children from their parents infringes the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular Article 7, which establishes respect for private and family life, and Article 24, which provides for the protection of minors.
The answer provided by the Commissioner for Justice, Michael McGrath, clarifies that, in this case and in all similar cases, jurisdiction “lies exclusively with the national authorities, including the courts,” and, therefore, it is up to the Italian courts to decide how to proceed. McGrath is keen to point out, however, that EU principles and law recognise child protection as a top priority. “Children shall have the right to such protection and care as is necessary for their well-being, taking the child’s best interests as a primary consideration.” An observation that suggests that if, for the children’s well‑being, it is deemed necessary not to leave them in contact with their parents, the latter will not be able to see their children.
In any case, the case is being brought before the European Commission. Italy is making headlines. Now it’s up to the judges, national ones.
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English version by the Translation Service of Withub
