Fight on over Madonna's baby
29/11/2006 14:47  - (SA)  

Want to know more? Answerit can help.

Madonna's baby's dad remarries Madonna's baby's dad remarries Malawi MPs slam Madonna critics Malawi MPs slam Madonna critics Madonna felt instant connection Madonna felt instant connection Dad refused help, says Madonna Dad refused help, says Madonna Be strong, dad tells Madonna Be strong, dad tells Madonna Madonna blames the media Madonna blames the media

Lilongwe - A judge in Malawi on Wednesday allowed a coalition of human rights groups to proceed with a legal challenge to US pop star Madonna's adoption of a baby boy.

Judge Andrew Nyirenda ruled that the coalition of 67 rights groups could be regarded as "friends of the court" along with the state-sponsored Malawi human rights commission and therefore pursue their application for a full review of an interim custody order.

"The applications from both applicants are accordingly granted and they are both joined as amicus curiae," said the judgement, a copy of which was obtained by AFP at the high court in Lilongwe.

'Mean well'

"I believe the applicants mean well and this court will certainly benefit from the applicants researched opinions."

The coalition first lodged a petition before the court last month, claiming that existing legislation did not allow for intra-country adoptions and asking for the right to bring a full-fledged appeal at a later hearing.

The granting of an 18-month interim custody order, which enabled Madonna to take the child, David Banda, out of Malawi, sparked heated debate about adoption laws in a country where the number of orphans is surging as a result of Aids.

The judge did not set a date for a full review of the interim adoption order which.

The judgement made clear that Madonna's lawyer in Malawi, Allan Chinula, had not raised any objection to the applications.

"Counsel for the petitioners has no objection to the application. Likewise I see no reason to refuse the applications," said the judge.

Money

Baby David is now living with Madonna and her British filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie in London even though would-be adoptive parents are usually subject to an 18-month monitoring period by social workers in Malawi.

Madonna has denied using her vast wealth to fast-track the process, while David's father Yohane Banda has called on the coalition to drop their action for fear that the singer will return the child to a life of poverty back home.

What is this? Yahoo Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Brought to you by OUTsurance Car Insurance
	News24 Headlines on your Facebook profile		News24 on mobile