Madonna criticised on adoption bid

A coalition of rights workers issued a statement criticising the singer's attempt as a court decided it would rule on Friday whether to grant it.

"We feel Madonna is behaving like a bully," said Undule Mwakusungura, chairman of the country's Human Rights Consultative Committee.

"She has the money and the status to use her profile to manipulate, to fast-track the process."

The 50-year-old pop star spent about an hour in court in the Malawi capital of Lilongwe applying to be the legal guardian of four-year-old Chifundo James, whose name means "Mercy" in a local language.

The girl's father is believed to be alive but no other details were available.

The adoption of her three-year-old son, David, whom she met at a Malawian orphanage in October 2006, was finalised last year.

Children's advocacy groups have accused Madonna of wielding her wealth and influence to circumvent a Malawian law requiring an 18- to 24-month assessment period before adoption. David's adoption was a trying process for the singer, who has said the storm of criticism hurt.

But some Malawians have said that they support Madonna.

"We are blessed for what Madonna is doing here," said E Ngulinga, who was among the onlookers gathered outside the court. "That baby is going to have the advantages of going to school and of becoming someone," he said. "Here it is very difficult."