The European Court of Human Rights has ruled inadmissible a case brought by Christian parents Daniel and Bianca Samson against Sweden, in which they sought the return of their two daughters after more than three years of forced separation by the state. The decision is final and cannot be appealed.

The Samson family’s ordeal, which we covered in November, began in December 2022 when their eldest daughter made a false report at school after her parents refused to give her a phone or allow her to use makeup. She promptly retracted the claim. Swedish authorities seized both girls and cited the family’s attendance at church three times a week to corroborate accusations of “religious extremism”. A full investigation found no evidence of abuse. Prosecutors dropped all allegations.

Despite this, the state refused to return the children.

The girls have been separated from their parents, and from each other, ever since. They are placed in different foster care homes far apart. The family is permitted one supervised visit per month. Both children have repeatedly asked to be reunited, and their health has deteriorated in state care.

The ECtHR dismissed the case on the grounds that the Samsons had not exhausted domestic legal remedies in Sweden, and indicated it did not consider there to be a violation of the right to respect for private life.

ADF International, which represents the family, maintains there were no further domestic options available. The court did suggest that religious freedom arguments could be raised before Swedish national courts, and ADF International is now assessing possible next steps with the family.

As ADF International Legal Counsel Guillermo A. Morales Sancho stated: "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."

According to reports, the girls could be put up for adoption if the family cannot secure a legal path to reunification.

The case raises serious concerns about the use of child welfare systems to penalise religious practice. Australian parents are not strangers to bureaucratic hostility towards their faith. In 2025, HRLA assisted a Sydney Catholic family who faced years of uncertainty in the foster care system before being permitted to care for their adopted son's biological brother. This was due largely to their Catholic faith.

At HRLA, we defend the right of parents to raise their children according to their faith without fear of state interference. The Samson case is a stark warning. When governments treat regular church attendance as evidence of extremism, the rights of every family of faith are diminished.