Christian parents Daniel and Bianca Samson have been dealt a legal blow in their efforts to reunite with their daughters after three years of separation. 

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled a case brought by the couple from Sweden is inadmissible, and does not consider their right to family life to have been violated.

Allegations of “religious extremism” were levelled at the parents, after one daughter complained to her school about their refusal to give her a phone and makeup. She then retracted this complaint. The two daughters were taken from their parents and separated from each other in December 2022.

Social services stated that the Samsons’ regular attendance at church three times a week would corroborate the “religious extremism” accusations. 

An investigation fully cleared the parents, but this has not brought about the reuniting of the family. After going through the Swedish court, Daniel and Bianca took their case to Strasbourg claiming their parental rights had been violated.

Guillermo A. Morales Sancho, legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, said: “Parents have the primary responsibility and right to raise their children. When the state interferes with family life based on values-based parenting choices or discrimination on the basis of faith, fundamental freedoms are at stake.

“We deeply regret the Court’s decision to reject this case, considering that this family has been torn apart for over three years despite a full investigation that cleared Mr and Mrs Samson of any abuse and the fact that the Social Services certified their capacity and fitness for parenting after they successfully completed an official training. 

“Families should be free to live according to their convictions without fear of losing their children to the state,” he added. 

The European Court did suggest that questions relating to freedom of religion may be raised before national courts, an option the Samsons may now pursue.