In May 1991, Bengt Wernersson and his wife did an infertility investigation and he left a sperm sample at Halland’s hospital. Bengt and his wife eventually had a daughter. In the same year, Rebecka was also born via sperm donation at the hospital.
Rebecka Kristoffersson and her mother had been given a name by the hospital that would be her biological father. But with the help of DNA tests, it turned out that it was not the case. Instead, the DNA tests led to Bengt, and in February this year he found out that he had another daughter.
– I got a shock. I was very surprised, says Bengt Wernersson.
“Everyone should have the right to their origin”
When Bengt found out that he had a daughter Rebecka, he did not hesitate to meet her.
– It was completely obvious. She should have a right to her origin, everyone should have that. It was not on the map to say no, he says.
Now they have contact and realized how many similarities they have. The two families lived five kilometers apart and the children went to the same school without knowing they were half-siblings.
– It has been so incredibly overwhelming. There have been so many emotions, ups and downs, but it has ended well, says Rebecka Kristoffersson.
Not just Bengt
It has been shown that several children have been born in this way through involuntary sperm donors from Halland Hospital. The doctor in question is no longer alive and the hospital says there is not much they can do.
– I am very angry with the hospital and the doctor. And disappointed. The hospital is supposed to be the safest place. That something like this should happen. A mix-up is fine, but several children over ten years at least.
The case is taken up in the European Court of Justice
In Sweden, it is not possible to try the case as it is time-barred. So the Center for Justice helps Bengt take his case to the European Court. On July 17, the court announced that it is launching an investigation and demanding an answer from the government on the question of whether Bengt’s human rights have been violated.
– Our view is that crimes against human rights should not be statute-barred until one knows that one’s rights have been violated, says Alexander Ottosson, lawyer at the Center for Justice.
He says that the investigation will take time and that we can count on the verdict to come in two years. For Bengt, it is important what the outcome is.
– I think it affects a lot of people and I want it to be properly investigated. I am afraid that it has not only happened in Halmstad, but that there may be several doctors who have dealt with the same things. DNA wasn’t that far along so I don’t think they were afraid of it being discovered.