Danish rulings in custody cases are often sexist and harmful to children, according to a new decision by the UN.

The decision calls on the Danish authorities to return Oliver, a child who has been living here with his father Thomas Nørregaard Sorensen ever since he was taken from his mother Marion Weilharter’s car in Austria in April 2012.

The UN said that Oliver should be returned to his mother in Austria “immediately”.

More education needed
The UN Women’s Committee called on Denmark to revise its Parental Responsibility Act to ensure that the authorities respect the child’s best interests. The committee also recommended sending judges on courses in women’s violence and divorce cases.

Children as victims
Lisa Holmfjord, the head of the Danish women’s society Dansk Kvindesamfund, said the government should heed the UN’s suggestions.

“Make no mistake, this is not just a lecture,” Holmfjord told Metroxpress. “The UN wants Denmark to conduct a thorough evaluation of the Parental Responsibility Act, and I totally agree.”

SF spokesperson Trine Torp agreed that rule changes are needed.

“It is not every day that Denmark gets criticised by the UN,” said Torp. “The children end up as victims of the war between the father and mother.”

READ MORE: EU delegation submits critical report of Danish child custody abuses

Between 2003 and 2013, 284 children were taken from custodial  parents in other countries and brought back to Denmark. According to the Interior Ministry only 39 of them have been returned.