Greenlandic Families Launch Legal Battles to Reclaim children After DNA Testing Ban
Nuuk, Greenland – November 22, 2025 - Greenlandic families are initiating legal action to regain custody of children taken from them following a controversial ban on DNA paternity and maternity tests. The abrupt cessation of testing, implemented in late 2024, has left numerous families in legal limbo, unable to definitively establish parentage and facing barriers to reunification with their children.
The policy shift, intended to protect children from potential emotional distress and safeguard traditional family structures, has instead created a crisis for families seeking to resolve disputes over parentage or navigate complex situations involving adoption or assisted reproductive technologies. “If I don’t finish this fight, it will be my children’s fight in the future,” stated one mother involved in a custody dispute, reflecting the intergenerational stakes of the legal battles unfolding across the country. The cases highlight a clash between Greenland’s cultural values and the rights of individuals to establish biological connections with their children.
Prior to the ban, DNA testing was routinely used in Greenlandic courts to determine parentage in cases involving custody disputes, child support claims, and immigration matters. The change in policy, enacted by the Greenlandic Parliament, effectively removed this legal tool, leaving judges to rely on option, ofen less conclusive, methods of establishing familial relationships.
The impact has been particularly acute for families involved in cross-border disputes, where establishing parentage is crucial for determining citizenship and residency rights. Several families are now pursuing legal challenges, arguing that the ban violates their rights to family life and due process under international human rights law. Legal experts predict the cases will likely escalate to the Greenlandic Supreme Court and potentially the Danish courts, given Greenland’s status as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
This story is part of the Global Women series from the BBC World Service, sharing untold and crucial stories from around the globe.
