Homeschooling ban upheld in Germany

Dana, at Principled Discovery discusses a recent precedent-setting case on homeschooling in Germany:

There are at least 40 cases related to homeschooling in the courts in Germany as parents fight for their right to educate their children according to their values, religious convictions and in the best educational and safety interests of their children. Homeschooling is illegal in Germany and the courts have consistently ruled in favor of the state. Homeschool families are subject to heavy fines, police escorts to school and eventual loss of custody of their children. Many have fled out of the country, but for those who remain within the European Union, the decision of the German court is binding even across international borders. Eight cases have been appealed to the European Court of Human Rights. Unfortunately, given the structure of this court, cases can sit for years before the court even rules whether or not to hear the case. This is the case for several homeschooling cases, but yesterday an important precedent was set for how these cases will be handled by this court. The European Court has affirmed that the interests of the state in the education of the child supersede that of the parent.