BABIESMadonna's Adoption Ruling Postponed
May 15 2008, Published 3:00 p.m. ET
The final hearing in Madonna’s prolonged adoption case has been postponed after a new human rights report suggests the ruling could be illegal.
Malawi’s High Court was the pop star’s two-year-long adoption of David Banda, 2, on Thursday, but the Human Rights Commission (HRC) would like further review of the case that has been riddled with controversy from the start. Malawian laws prevent non-residents from adopting in the country, leading critics to accuse the government of giving Madonna special treatment.
"What we want is ... consideration of certain procedures that conform with international conventions on child rights and what our law says, otherwise, as it stands, everything is illegal and the person who wants to adopt the child does not qualify until the judge finds solutions to it," HRC Chairman Dorothy Nyasulu told Reuters.
Madonna, who announced Tuesday she Thursday’s now-cancelled hearing, is not at all fazed by this delay, her lawyer says.
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"I'm confident that the adoption will go through because my client has met all the requirements and the government is satisfied that she qualifies," Alan Chinula said.
According to the non-binding HRC report, a person must live in Malawi for at least 18 months to qualify as a resident. Needless to say, the London-based, globetrotting Madonna has not been in the African country the past year and a half.
Following review, a new hearing will be held next week. An exact date was not announced.
