Archive · 23 Aug 2025
Danish Authorities Remove Newborn from Greenlandic Mother, Sparking Protests
A new mom from Greenland had her baby taken away by Danish authorities just after birth.
The authorities used a test to see if she could be a good parent, even though this kind of test isn't supposed to be used on people from Greenland anymore.
The mom says she was told the baby was taken because of problems in her past.
People are protesting this decision, saying it's unfair to punish her for things that happened before.
The government is now looking into why this happened.
A Greenlandic mother had her newborn daughter taken into foster care an hour after birth in Denmark.
The mother was assessed using a 'parenting competency' test, despite a ban on using such tests on people with Inuit backgrounds.
Authorities cited the mother's past trauma as a reason for the removal, including abuse by her adoptive father.
Campaigners and rights groups have organized protests in response to the child's removal.
The Danish social affairs minister has asked for an explanation from the local municipality.
- Who
- Ivana Nikoline Brønlund, the baby's mother, and Danish authorities.
- What
- A newborn baby was taken from her Greenlandic mother by Danish authorities.
- When
- The baby was taken away shortly after birth on August 11.
- Where
- Denmark.
- Why
- Authorities cited concerns about the mother's past and used a parenting test, despite a ban on its use for Greenlandic people.
Supporters of the Mother and Protesters
Danish Authorities
Child Custody
Supporters of the Mother and Protesters
The mother should be given a chance to raise her child.
Danish Authorities
The child's safety and well-being is at risk.
- Mother's Name
- Ivana Nikoline Brønlund
- Baby's Name
- Aviaja-Luuna
- Mother's Age
- 18
- Date of Birth
- August 11
- Location
- Denmark
- Current Status
- Mother has supervised visits twice a month. Appeal on September 16