Greek Anti-Vax, Anti-Mask Parents May Lose Custody of Children

Anti-vax parents from Serres, Greece who are also against the use of self-tests for the coronavirus, as well as masks, may lose custody of their four children because they have refused to send them to school for two years.

Their children have not gone to school because their parents will not allow them to wear masks or conduct self-tests for the coronavirus, which are now both required for children to attend school.

While it has not been decided in this specific circumstance, removal of custody can be applied in such cases, if the court rules that the parents are not fulfilling their responsibilities to protect and care for their children.

Anti-vax parents could lose custody after refusing to send kids to school for two years straight

The local prosecutor in the northern Greek city of Serres, where the family in question is from, has opened an investigation into the case to determine the welfare of the children.

Speaking to SKAI TV, the mother of the four children stated that she is “against these specific vaccines, as well as the unconstitutional measures the government has taken.”

“If it’s God’s will that we get sick, we will get sick — whether we wear the mask or not, whether we get vaccinated or not. The tests are not reliable,” she declared.

In total, the family has six children, but two are not school-aged. The four children who have not gone to school in two years range in age. If they were to go to school, they would be in kindergarten, primary school, middle school, and high school.

Teachers claim parents have harassed them

“I do not consent to my children wearing masks, nor to them conducting self-tests. I do not consent to medical procedures being done to my children. Last year we didn’t send our children to school for the same reason,” the mother noted.

The children’s father, who is also anti-vax and masks, stated to SKAI TV that the government’s rules call for “medical procedures that we do not consent to…it’s my constitutional right. Why are you segregating and labeling people?”

Teachers at the children’s school alerted authorities to the situation regarding the children’s lack of attendance, and they even allege that they have suffered harassment and abuse from the parents.

The head of secondary education in Serres, Stelios Rizos, noted that the parents reject any measure that is related to the pandemic, including masks and self-tests, and refuse to send their children to school.

Attending school is a fundamental part of children’s educational, intellectual, social, and emotional development and well being.

Due to their absences, the children will likely have to make up grades and classes when they return to school, and they may miss out important developmental and educational stages, as well as friendships.