A 16-Year-Old Died in Norwegian State Care — Police Admit Failures
Read full press release here
June 8, 2026 | Oslo, Norway
A 16-Year-Old Died in Norwegian State Care — Police Admit Failures
Independent Reinvestigation Demanded in High-Profile Child Welfare Case
Oslo, Norway — The civil society organization Rettssikkerhet for alle has formally called for an independent reinvestigation into the death of Shada Al-Barghouti (2003–2019), a 16-year-old Palestinian-Norwegian girl who died while under the legal care of the Norwegian state.
The request follows a formal acknowledgment by Norwegian police of investigative failures, as reported by VG on May 30, 2026.
Key Facts Established
Shada died while under direct state custody, after being relocated six times within the child welfare system.
She had previously reported a sexual assault, which was investigated but later dropped due to lack of evidence.
She lived under a false identity at a secret address, severely limiting her ability to seek help or build trust.
Her brother was not allowed to come to the funeral by authorities.
Norwegian police have now formally acknowledged that the investigation into her death had significant shortcomings.
Critical Questions Remain Unanswered
Despite extensive media investigation, several serious discrepancies remain unresolved:
Forensic inconsistencies, including physical injuries not reflected in the official autopsy.
Unexamined physical evidence, including biological material never subjected to forensic analysis.
A recording from the evening of her death, whose contents have not been disclosed.
A potential conflict of interest, as the property where Shada died was owned by a police officer within the same district that investigated the case.
These issues raise fundamental concerns about transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the original investigation.
A Matter of Legal Obligation
Under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Norwegian state is required to conduct an effective, independent, and thorough investigation when a person dies in state custody.
This obligation is further reinforced by recent European Court of Human Rights case law and Norwegian criminal procedure requirements.
An apology issued years later does not fulfill these legal obligations.
What Is Being Requested
Rettssikkerhet for alle calls for:
A fully independent reinvestigation, conducted by an external police authority.
A public review of the child welfare system’s handling of the case.
A formal assessment of Norway’s compliance with human rights obligations.
Full disclosure of key evidence, including the audio recording and forensic discrepancies.
A Case That Cannot Be Ignored
This case raises a fundamental question:
What happens when a child under the protection of the state dies — and the system fails to provide answers?
Shada Al-Barghouti was 16 years old.
She was under state care.
And today, critical questions about her death remain unanswered.
Contact Information
Organization: Rettssikkerhet for alle (Legal Rights for All)
Website: www.rettssikkerhet.org
Email: kontakt@rettssikkerhet.org
Phone: Linn Rine +47 400 03 206
Read full press release here
