Madonna baby saga rumbles on

The campaign to stop Madonna adopting a baby boy has gathered momentum, with several new human rights groups joining in the protests.

As previously reported, two organisations in Malawi had initially attempted to block the singer from adopting one-year-old David Banda.

But now a total of 67 human rights organisations have formed a committee, which is seeking a court injunction halting the adoption.

The Human Rights Consultative Committee claims the adoption is unlawful because Madonna has not lived in the African country, reports BBC News, and Malawian law prohibits international adoption.

HRCC chairman Justin Dzonzi said: "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."

But Penston Kilembe, director of child welfare in the Ministry of Gender, Child Welfare And Community Services, said Madonna had broken no laws.

He added: "The process did not start today; Madonna's people have been pushing the papers for some time. Her coming was just to sign the papers to conclude the process."

The singer and her husband Guy Ritchie returned to the UK over the weekend without David, who is being cared for by members of her entourage while passport and visa issues are dealt with.