Madonna’s adoption plans questioned

LILONGWE-Human rights groups want Malawi’s courts to review a ruling allowing Madonna to adopt a child from this impoverished, AIDS-stricken southern African country, according to one of dozens of organisations involved.

Boniface Mandere of Eye of the Child, a local child protection society, told The Associated Press Monday a coalition had banded together to try to ensure Malawian regulations meant to protect children weren’t being swept aside to benefit a pop star who has been generous to the country. “The court seems to have made a decision based on Madonna’s wealth,” Mandere said.”But being a good parent is not about money, it is about caring, having heart, it’s about love.”Mandere said the groups could approach the courts Monday or Tuesday, after getting legal advice “to decide whether to ask for an injunction or stop order so that we can ascertain what steps were taken to ensure that Madonna can properly care for the child.”The Malawi High Court granted preliminary custody of a 1-year-old boy to Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie on Thursday, even though the law requires would-be parents to live in the country for a year while social welfare officers investigate their ability to care for a child.Malawi law also does not allow for foreigners to adopt children, though neither are such adoptions banned outright.One-year-old David did not leave with Madonna and Ritchie Friday because final legal arrangements were still being made, Madonna’s spokeswoman said last week.Malawian officials also said the child’s departure had been delayed for procedural reasons, and that he was being cared for in the meantime by members of Madonna’s entourage who stayed behind.Nampa-AP”The court seems to have made a decision based on Madonna’s wealth,” Mandere said.”But being a good parent is not about money, it is about caring, having heart, it’s about love.”Mandere said the groups could approach the courts Monday or Tuesday, after getting legal advice “to decide whether to ask for an injunction or stop order so that we can ascertain what steps were taken to ensure that Madonna can properly care for the child.”The Malawi High Court granted preliminary custody of a 1-year-old boy to Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie on Thursday, even though the law requires would-be parents to live in the country for a year while social welfare officers investigate their ability to care for a child.Malawi law also does not allow for foreigners to adopt children, though neither are such adoptions banned outright.One-year-old David did not leave with Madonna and Ritchie Friday because final legal arrangements were still being made, Madonna’s spokeswoman said last week.Malawian officials also said the child’s departure had been delayed for procedural reasons, and that he was being cared for in the meantime by members of Madonna’s entourage who stayed behind.Nampa-AP