As we all know, Hollywood celebs have now made it de rigeur to adopt children from the developing world, with Africa being a firm favourite.
Well, returning with husband Guy Ritchie from a goodwill trip to Africa, Madonna was faced with some pretty big problems in sorting out legal papers for their newly adopted 1-year-old child, David Banda.
Although the child’s father has already signed over his rights to the superstar couple, various charity groups in Malawi are now saying that the adoption was illegal on the grounds that Madonna has never lived in the country as the law states.
The Human Rights Consultative Commitee (HRCC) chairman Justin Dzonzi explained:
“The laws of Malawi are clear that if one wants to adopt a child one has to stay with the child for at least 18 months for assessment.”
He added that Malawian law prohibited international adoption.
“If Madonna wants to adopt this baby she has to stay here”
But Penston Kilembe, director of child welfare in the Ministry of Gender, Child Welfare and Community Services, said Madonna and Ritchie had broken no laws.
“The process did not start today; Madonna’s people have been pushing the papers for some time and her coming was just to sign the papers to conclude the process…” he said.
[tags]Madonna,malawi, Adoption,Guy Ritchie,Madonna adoption,Family[/tags]
