Children’s Ombudsman exercises authority to intervene in court proceedings for the first time

Children’s Ombudsman Martin Beneš has, for the first time, exercised his statutory authority to intervene in court proceedings involving a child. At the request of an adolescent boy, Beneš filed an appeal against a court decision that refused to place him and his younger brother in the foster care of their grandparents, despite concerns that the children had been subjected to physical punishment and disproportionate invasions of their privacy within their family.

According to information available to Beneš, the psychological condition of both brothers gradually deteriorated. The situation culminated when the older boy ran away to live with his grandparents. His younger brother later joined him. The appeal is now being considered by the regional court.