Withdrawal of parental rights

The withdrawal of parental rights severely restricts your right to family life. Withdrawal is allowed only if there are specific reasons for it which are set out in law.

Your custody over a child may be withdrawn by a court of general jurisdiction (civil court) only under certain conditions which you can find in the Family Code. The withdrawal of parental rights should be lawful to be compatible with your right to family life.

example Parental rights may be withdrawn if a child’s health or life is endangered by the parent in question.

Consequences

If your parental rights are withdrawn, the court will determine separate parental rights for the other parent. If this is not possible, or both parents’ rights have been withdrawn, the court will make a decision on the taking of a child into public care.

Change of circumstances & Renewal

You may request a civil court to reassess the situation and annul the decision on the withdrawal of your parental rights if the circumstances since the adopted restrictions have changed. 

Parental rights may be renewed by a civil court, if the reasons for withdrawal no longer exist and if it is in the child’s interests.

Learn more about the different aspects to be assessed when deciding on the renewal of parental rights and the return of a child to the family.

What human rights violation may there be?

The unlawful withdrawal of parental rights may violate your right to family life. Prolonged enforcement of a judgment which annuls the withdrawal may also violate your right to family life and a fair hearing.

If an objective aspect of the parent’s personality, for example, belonging to a certain religion, race or sexual orientation, is the decisive factor for withdrawal of parental rights, it may violate the prohibition on discrimination and unequal treatment.

Read more about whether your parental rights were lawfully withdrawn.

Read more about how to complain in order to protect your rights.

Resources

Last updated 24/07/2023