International Human Rights Group
Helping the helpless find justice...
German Government Removes Youth from Her Home

Officials from Germany's Youth Welfare Office showed up at the home of a young woman very early one morning to take her away.  Her crime?  Being home schooled by her parents; both with post-graduate degrees.  She was taken to an undisclosed location, a foster home, against her wishes and the wishes of her family. The parents were permitted to see her once a week for one hour.

Hubert and Gundrun, her parents, didn't give up.  Even though there was talk about having them tested by a psychiatrist, they were willing to go through the testing albeit concerned that the results of those tests could be twisted to take the rest of their children from them.

During one of our visits with Hubert, Gundrun and the remaining five Busekros children, I was able to encourage them that we have mobilized Christians from at least nine different countries and from nearly twenty states to pray for the Melissa and her family. As I shared this encouraging news with the parents, they looked at me with tears in their eyes and said, “This is the most important thing.”

On Monday, 23 April 2007 at 3:00 AM, Melissa reached her home in Erlangen, to the surprise of her entire family. Earlier in the morning, Melissa had left a note with the foster family where she was being held and began the journey to her family. She left of her own volition.

Why did she leave now, after nearly three months? Because she had turned sixteen. In Germany, this gives her broader rights than it does in America.  We consider this a victory for all Christians who believe they have the right to educate their own children.

For news coverage of the event, click on the links to the right.  We've provided a few pictures below.



                  
 
 Gundren Busekros with letters of support from around the world.
    IHRG President Joel Thornton with Melissa after
her return to her home.
  

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