1 April 2009
Lilongwe — Madonna, 50, the world's wealthiest female singer, is confronting the same controversy that accompanied her first adoption of a Malawian child; the difference is that this time she is a single mother.
Malawi's courts are expected to rule on 3 April on Madonna's petition for an 18-month interim adoption order for a four-year-old girl named Mercy, which local human rights organizations have termed as just another round of "child trafficking" by the rich and famous.
Mercy's mother reportedly died five days after giving birth to her, and since then she has lived in an orphanage. Details of her father remain unclear.
Madonna, estimated to be worth in excess of US$500 million, adopted a 13-month-old Malawian, David Banda, in 2006, while she was still married to English film director Guy Ritchie, who she divorced after an eight-year marriage in November 2008. She has an eight-year-old son with Ritchie, and a 12-year-old daughter from fitness instructor Carlos Leon.
Madonna "the child trafficker"
The Malawi Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), an umbrella body of local human rights NGOs, is arguing that in Madonna's case, wealth and fame have applied a different yardstick for adoption, while the laws governing the issue remain as opaque as they were in 2006.
In absence of clear laws and procedures, this process of adoption amounts to nothing but child trafficking
"In absence of clear laws and procedures, this process of adoption amounts to nothing but child trafficking," HRCC's national coordinator, Mavuto Bamusi, told IRIN.
Malawian law prohibits non-nationals from adopting a local child unless they have been resident in the country for at least 18 months.
"She must follow procedure. She is simply using her profile and money to manipulate the process. We should not be seen to be legalizing child trafficking," Bamusi said.
When Madonna petitioned the courts for David's adoption in 2006, her time in one of the world's poorest countries was measured in weeks, rather than months. She arrived in the country this week.
Bamusi maintains that international adoption should be a last resort, after the options of foster care, local adoption and residential care have been exhausted.
"It is an unfortunate scenario, in that someone is trying to take advantage of the weak laws to abuse the system. I also feel that children should be adopted into families that are stable. Madonna just got divorced."
The same issues arose in Madonna's adoption of David three years ago, and led to calls for an overhaul of the adoption laws that came under such scrutiny at the time, but government has yet to act.
Around three-quarters of Malawi's 12 million people live on less than US$2 a day, and about one million children are orphaned, primarily as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
"We also blame government for delaying to table the Child Protection Bill, which is very crucial in ensuring that the rights of Malawian children, including those of orphans, are adopted," said HRCC chairperson Undule Mwakasungura.
Save the Children UK, an international NGO that advocates the rights of children, has publicly asked the singer to "think twice" before adopting a second Malawian child.
Dominic Nutt, a spokesman for the organization, warned that international adoptions could exacerbate the issues they hoped to solve. "The very existence of orphanages encourages poor parents to abandon children in the hope that they will have a better life," he said.
Malawians siding with Madonna
The hope that the controversial artist could sneak into the country were blown before she arrived, after local newspapers splashed the news of the imminent adoption and sparked an intense debate.
On arrival Madonna gave an exclusive interview to the privately owned Daily Nation newspaper, in which she said she would only consider adopting another child if the government and Malawians supported it.
This child is being given a future that many children in Malawi can't even dream aboute
The Daily Nation's position was clear in a post-interview editorial: "This child is being given a future that many children in Malawi can't even dream about. For HRCC to decide to pay a blind eye and once again cause problems for the adoption of another Malawian child is scandal of great magnitude."
Talk radio programmes have talked of little else since Madonna arrived. "Most of our listeners support this adoption. They say human rights organizations should not waste time to block the adoption of a poor child who will be freed from disease and poverty," Capital Radio's presenter, Mary Innocencia Segula, told IRIN.
"They think the NGOs are just greedy and would want the support that goes to orphans and poor children to be channelled through them so they can get something out of it," Segula said.
One caller, who only identified himself as Michael, commended Madonna as a mother. "Look at David - who could have loved that boy the way Madonna does?"
Ibrahim Bokosi, another caller to Capital Radio, said: "Madonna has been a very good mum to David, so give the girl [Mercy] a chance to live with her as well. If she fails to go, will the NGOs look after her, or concentrate on buying four-by-four vehicles for themselves?"
Chimwemwe Chisi, a father of two living in Malawi's second city, Blantyre, told IRIN that foreigners jet in and break the laws in the name of trying to help the orphaned and the poor.
"I am not being indifferent, but government should not be applying double standards in this case. How special is Madonna that she bends the rules and gets away with it? Just like anyone else, she must follow the laid-down procedure," he said.
International conventions
The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, an international agreement signed by 75 participating states, has procedures deemed to be in the best interests of the child and to prevent the "abduction, exploitation, sale, or trafficking of children".
Malawi is not a participating state. However, not being a participating state does not make international adoptions illegal in these countries.
The nationality of children adopted by celebrities does not appear to influence the choices of other prospective parents, according to available statistics. The US State Department's Office of Children's Issues notes that there have been four adoptions from Malawi to the US since and including 2006.
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]
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When will some Africans wake the hell up, and kick out these wicked white witches? African children ARE NOT animals, for whom cultural identity is not that important for their existence. First the evil Europeans disrupt, destabilize and destroy Africa indigenous cultures. Then these evil witches enter to further destroy the African identity of the children.j We know these white witches to be evil and UNHELPFUL to Africa's children; because if they were helpful, they would know to leave the children within their indigenous culture and SEND MONEY so that the children can grow up with a healthy mind within their own cultural setting. Again, SEND MONEY instead. Return stolen African wealth and resources and stop the evil interference; and Africans will be just fine, as they have been for thousands of generations before there was even a single European on the planet! SEND MONEY, so that Africans can take care of their own African children. Hopefully these African children will grow up to destroy those wicked white witches who seek to remove them from their indigenous cultural settings.
All intelligent-feeling people-of every nation and origin is with you on this one. Madonna is a 'self' satisfying creature who can only exist where SHE CONTROLS ALL. That is NOT a worthy Mother for Mercy - regardless. Money CAN buy Madonna - love - except from men she chooses to marry - they all give up.. lest we forget : she CHOSE Lourdes' father for his - looks - he wwas only a sperm donor-but rejected him as 'husband' material. Madonna is a nazi on those terms. She wants African Children at this critical point in her credibility ratings - as Trophy acquisitions - she is very insulting on those terms. I am glad the Judge showed Wisdom on this - and I hope it stays that way. Madonna is ruthless and left many used-abused people on the trail behind her - bad fortune follows wherever she lands - that is why she wants to bolster her image with the purchase of another African Child. If she cared one iota for Africa and African Peoples - she could afford to just give over $20 million - and fly in a few times every year to help MANY People - thus adopting them with her heart and gestures-and thereby gain the real love and respect of MILLIONS. She loves money. She loves power. She is too small for an idea like that. So, for Africa to provide world press with a headline that says : Judge says NO MERCY for Madonna - is a great and Godlike gesture. Eve - a white woman from London - Profession : Education/ fringe theatre.
Omugabe yeah right who in their right mind will send money to a bunch of corrupt Africans and well Malawi is all over the news for stealing money yeah I will put a check in the mail tomorrow, LOL do not hold your breath see I live here and know your ways very well. If you are able to take care of your own children then why are you wanting the West to send money to raise them????? No you fool corrupt people as yourself want the money not to help the children but to help yourselves go get a job and earn your money and stop begging the rest of the world to take care of you because you are lazy. I am not saying this child should be adopted by Madonna by no means but people such as yourself well is just sad... All you are doing is name calling then holding out your hand and begging for money from the West do not wait too long...
Omugabe you just said the same thing your had already said earlier and who said anything as treating African children like animals but you, but all over the world people adopt children, many because they are unable to have their own children but whatever the reason you are clueless and your comment proves your ignorance and hatred toward whites. You alone destabilize your own countries so trust me I watch it daily you do not need any help from the West to do that. By the way yes I am repeating myself here GET A JOB AND STOP BEGGING THE WEST TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR LAZY BUM!
Please, please, please, to all of you, have you ever been in Malawi? Do you know how many frail grand mothers that are looking after grand children left being by their parents gone forever, and how many of these are out their in almost every village in Malawi? How many orphanages that are dotted across Malawi with few resources, nor some one to show love to these kids or do you know Malawi as a country and the people, the poverty in this small country?
I am a Malawian who was brought to North America in 1985 by a Canadian Samaritan, received education via a an individual sponsorship. When I left Malawi my future was absolutely questionable, example would be all my friends I left behind who are all diseased and all my brothers and relatives who as well mostly at my age are about 95% gone. Majority left children behind being looked after by grand parents and relatives. I have responsibility of 16 children that I send to school as I am writing. Without the opportunity I received by way of the education and the opportunity to reside and work in North America, I am not sure what would have happened to these kids. For the first time in 11 years I went to visit Malawi just December 2008 came back January this year; what I saw was desperation and poverty that was a cultural shock to me, partly is my ascent from the country for too long. I witnessed with my own eyes what I said in the first paragraph within my own immediate family, extended family and every village I visited and every where I went.
Despite your dislike of Madonna or her past or what the media portray her, understand the reality of the landscape or the fabric of Malawi. The point is, if there were bid star or wealthy people like Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, this Malawi we are talking about along with other poor countries, the world would be a better place for all. One must understand that since Madonna landed in Malawi, she has invested her own resources, millions raised funds for Malawi, has build shelters and establish education institution, these contributions has given opportunity for employment that is very much needed in a country where there is about 80% unemployment.
Why are you so critical of Madonna to what she is doing, what about these others I mentioned above? Is it because of Malawi as a country...!
Malawi people are extremely hard working people but there are no jobs
If I were some kid in an orphanage, I'd want pretty much anybody to adopt me, regardless of the color of their skin or their culture. However, like most people, Madonna just makes me sick.
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