Madonna accepts monitoring over adoption
From Raphael Tenthani

LILONGWE (Malawi)—Madonna accepts a High Court ruling allowing a coalition of human rights groups to monitor her as she tries to adopt a Malawian toddler, the singer’s lawyer said Thursday.
High Court Justice Andrew Nyirenda ruled Wednesday that the Human Rights Consultative Committee and the state-run Malawi Human Rights Commission could join the adoption process as friends of the court and pursue their application for a full judicial review of the interim custody order he granted to Madonna and her British filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie.
Madonna’s lawyer, Alan Chinula, told reporters the couple have agreed to the ruling.
“The Ritchies called me from London and I explained to them the ruling ... they have no problem with the ruling and are also willing to sit back and wait,” Chinula said in the capital, Lilongwe.
The rights groups say they are concerned the government cut legal corners to fast-track the adoption. They said that while they do not object to Madonna as a prospective parent, regulations must be followed to protect children. Chinula said the challenge would help clarify Malawi’s “antiquated laws” on adoption and that the Madonna case will be a “guiding case for future adoptions.”