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Madonna defends child adoption Madonna defends child adoption
(about 1 hour later)
Madonna has defended her intended adoption of a Malawian baby, saying she had acted "according to the law like anyone else who adopts a child".Madonna has defended her intended adoption of a Malawian baby, saying she had acted "according to the law like anyone else who adopts a child".
The singer said she wanted to "open up our home and help one child escape an extreme life of hardship, poverty and in many cases death".The singer said she wanted to "open up our home and help one child escape an extreme life of hardship, poverty and in many cases death".
Earlier the child, David Banda, was taken to the US singer's London home.Earlier the child, David Banda, was taken to the US singer's London home.
The one-year-old boy flew from Johannesburg overnight with a bodyguard and Madonna's personal assistant.The one-year-old boy flew from Johannesburg overnight with a bodyguard and Madonna's personal assistant.
The baby arrived at London's Heathrow airport at 0630 BST, despite claims by some charities that the rules on adoption have been bent for the star.The baby arrived at London's Heathrow airport at 0630 BST, despite claims by some charities that the rules on adoption have been bent for the star.
Madonna said she and her husband Guy Ritchie began the adoption process months ago.Madonna said she and her husband Guy Ritchie began the adoption process months ago.
"This was not a decision or commitment that my family or I take lightly," she said."This was not a decision or commitment that my family or I take lightly," she said.
Adoption bid splits Malawi Q&A: Inter-country adoption Adoption bid splits Malawi Q&A: Inter-country adoption href="/1/hi/entertainment/6060684.stm" class="">Full text: Madonna statement
She added her family would now take time "to experience the joy we feel to have David home".She added her family would now take time "to experience the joy we feel to have David home".
Earlier, a statement from the star's publicist confirmed Madonna had been granted an interim adoption of the child.Earlier, a statement from the star's publicist confirmed Madonna had been granted an interim adoption of the child.
The decision by a Malawian court gives the singer and her husband, film-maker Guy Ritchie, temporary custody of 13-month-old David Banda for 18 months.The decision by a Malawian court gives the singer and her husband, film-maker Guy Ritchie, temporary custody of 13-month-old David Banda for 18 months.
A group of charities in Malawi had tried to stop the adoption, claiming it was unlawful because Madonna has not lived in the African country.A group of charities in Malawi had tried to stop the adoption, claiming it was unlawful because Madonna has not lived in the African country.
David was carried by the assistant through the airport, with a grey-hooded top hiding him from the view of surrounding press.David was carried by the assistant through the airport, with a grey-hooded top hiding him from the view of surrounding press.
He was taken to the star's home near London's Marble Arch, where many of the world's media were waiting.He was taken to the star's home near London's Marble Arch, where many of the world's media were waiting.
'No public circus''No public circus'
He was reported to be remarkably alert following the long flight.He was reported to be remarkably alert following the long flight.
The couple's statement, issued on Monday evening, said the boy had been given a passport and visa.The couple's statement, issued on Monday evening, said the boy had been given a passport and visa.
Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg said the star was "going to do her best to not make it a public circus".Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg said the star was "going to do her best to not make it a public circus".
During 18 months of temporary custody the couple "will be evaluated by the courts of Malawi per the tribal customs of the country," the statement said.During 18 months of temporary custody the couple "will be evaluated by the courts of Malawi per the tribal customs of the country," the statement said.
The baby was flown out of Malawi by private plane to South Africa on Monday, where the party boarded a scheduled flight for London.The baby was flown out of Malawi by private plane to South Africa on Monday, where the party boarded a scheduled flight for London.
HAVE YOUR SAY Why not support the child's paternal father, house them, feed them, educate the little boy for life and give him the chance to succeed in his own society? Maddelean, Cairo Send us your views 'Alien adoption'HAVE YOUR SAY Why not support the child's paternal father, house them, feed them, educate the little boy for life and give him the chance to succeed in his own society? Maddelean, Cairo Send us your views 'Alien adoption'
The singer, 48, returned to the UK three days earlier, but David was unable to travel as he did not have a passport.The singer, 48, returned to the UK three days earlier, but David was unable to travel as he did not have a passport.
The Human Rights Consultative Committee of 67 Malawian organisations had been due to go to court on Monday seeking an injunction to halt the adoption process.The Human Rights Consultative Committee of 67 Malawian organisations had been due to go to court on Monday seeking an injunction to halt the adoption process.
But it deferred the move, saying it wanted to interview an unidentified uncle of David's who was "said to be opposed to the adoption plan".But it deferred the move, saying it wanted to interview an unidentified uncle of David's who was "said to be opposed to the adoption plan".
The committee insists that Malawian law prohibits international adoption and requires a minimum of 18 months' assessment.The committee insists that Malawian law prohibits international adoption and requires a minimum of 18 months' assessment.
But Penston Kilembe, director of child welfare in the ministry of gender, Child Welfare and Community Services, said Madonna and her husband had broken no laws.But Penston Kilembe, director of child welfare in the ministry of gender, Child Welfare and Community Services, said Madonna and her husband 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."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.
The boy's father, Yohame Banda, has agreed to the adoption.The boy's father, Yohame Banda, has agreed to the adoption.
"What I want is a good life for my child," he said."What I want is a good life for my child," he said.