Contact: Jeremiah Lorrig, Home School Legal Defense Association, 540-338-5600
PURCELLVILLE, Va., Sept. 15, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- A judge dismissed the case against a homeschool family in southern Spain that was facing a possible order to send their son back to school. "This is an important victory for the González family and homeschoolers in Spain," said Michael Donnelly, Director of International Relations at the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).
Homeschooling is uncommon in the European nation of about 40 million. The legal climate toward homeschoolers in Spain has quickly gone from one of bureaucratic indifference to active hostility. In the wake of an unprecedented number of legal disputes between homeschoolers and local authorities, the González family sought the help of HSLDA.
Concerned that they might have to send their son to public school after homeschooling for a year, the family submitted an HSLDA brief along with other evidence and material at a September 9 court hearing. The family had been prepared to wait for months as the court deliberated. But it was clear that the Spanish judge had been influenced by HSLDA's brief over the weekend when she dismissed the case early Monday morning.
"We believe that your report has been very important for the judge's decision. Thank you all, thanks Mike, and thank Heaven," Rodolfo and Mila González wrote in an email to HSLDA.
This victory is important for the González family because it means they can continue to homeschool their son. There are other families in Spain who are facing similar difficulties and require support. HSLDA believes it helps all homeschoolers when we fight for freedom wherever it is threatened.
Donnelly said that he was pleased by the result which, in addition to the HSLDA brief, included a petition supported by homeschoolers from all over the world that garnered nearly 1,200 signatures in a just a few days.
"HSLDA staff translated our brief in record time so that it would be available for their recent hearing. It is exciting to hear that the judge was influenced by our submission. We are grateful to the thousands of homeschoolers in America and internationally who took action to support this family by signing the petition. By working together we can advance the cause of freedom for home education," he said.
