What are the grounds for deprivation of parental rights?

According to Article 164 of the Family Code of Ukraine, a mother and father may be deprived of parental rights if they:

1. the child was not taken from the maternity hospital or from another health care institution and for 6 months did not show parental care for it (without a valid reason);

2. shirk their responsibilities regarding raising a child and/or ensuring that he/she obtains a full general secondary education;

3. mistreat the child (use physical or mental violence, impermissible methods of upbringing, degrade the human dignity of the child, etc.);

4. are chronic alcoholics or drug addicts (these facts must be confirmed by appropriate medical reports);

5. resort to any type of exploitation of the child (for example, involve him in hard work, engage in prostitution or criminal activities), force him to beg and wander;

6. Convicted of committing an intentional criminal offense against a child.