London woman told to remove burka by judge

Post by **klr** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 10:08 pm

From the "plain common sense, but some will still complain about it" category:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23814711

Hackney woman told to remove burka by crown court judge
A judge has refused to let a Muslim woman in a full-length burka enter a plea until she reveals her face.

The 21-year-old from Hackney, who is charged with intimidating a witness, said she could not remove the veil in front of men because of her religion.

Judge Peter Murphy said however, she could not stand trial in the veil, which only reveals her eyes, because her identity could not be confirmed.

The woman is due back at Blackfriars Crown Court on 12 September.

Judge Murphy said the principle of open justice overrode the woman's religious beliefs, warning that a different person could go into the dock pretending to be her if she did not show her face.

'Open justice'

He said: "It is necessary for this court to be satisfied that they can recognise the defendant.

"While I obviously respect the right to dress in any way she wishes, certainly while outside the court, the interests of justice are paramount.

"I can't, as a circuit judge, accept a plea from a person whose identity I am unable to ascertain."

The woman's barrister, Claire Burtwistle, told the court the woman was not prepared to lower her veil with men in the room and suggested a female police officer or prison guard could identify the defendant and confirm it to the court.

However, Judge Murphy rejected the proposal and said: "It seems to me to be quite fundamental that the court is sure who it is dealing with.

"In my court room, that's going to come first.

"There is the principle of open justice and it can't be subject to the religion of the defendant whether the principle is observed or not."

Judge Murphy adjourned the case for legal argument over whether the defendant should have to remove her veil.

When the woman returns to court she is expected to enter a not guilty plea.

Post by **pErvinalia** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:21 am

I thought she was hack-kneed until I realised she was from Hackney. But burqas are definitely hackneyed.

Post by **Ayaan** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:36 am

Humans do identify each other by our faces. Covering the face generally renders that person unidentifiable. It serves as both a way to hide one's identity and a way to dehumanize someone.

Post by **Svartalf** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:47 am

I don't care if supposed humans will voluntarily de humanize themselves, but positive identification of the subject is indispensable in most public areas of life, including dealings with justice.

Post by **Hermit** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:55 am

To the Hackney woman: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If you feel you can't, remove yourself to a country that allows appearing in court wearing a burka - and enjoy the 500 lashes or being stoned to death if you are found guilty.

Post by **Clinton Huxley** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 8:36 am

I like the cut of this judges jib.

Post by **Cormac** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 8:51 am

Clinton Huxley wrote:I like the cut of this judges jib.

Moi aussi.

Post by **mistermack** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:03 pm

A lot of these women in Burkas are pig-ugly white women, who think they might get a man, if they convert to islam and keep their face hidden.
Maybe that's why she didn't want to take it off.

Post by **pErvinalia** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:11 pm

You are a piece of work.

Post by **Clinton Huxley** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:19 pm

Personal experience, MM? You a disappointed Burqa chaser?

Post by **mistermack** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:26 pm

Clinton Huxley wrote:Personal experience, MM? You a disappointed Burqa chaser?

Yes, but luckily, I hadn't paid before she took it off, so I managed to negotiate a hefty discount.

Post by **Tero** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 4:35 pm

mistermack wrote:A lot of these women in Burkas are pig-ugly white women, who think they might get a man, if they convert to islam and keep their face hidden.
Maybe that's why she didn't want to take it off.

Did you try it? How many wives did it take to find out? Oh, I see it's all sorted now.

Post by **tattuchu** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 4:49 pm

It's all sordid now

Post by **JimC** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:16 am

Somewhere, someday, there will be a new-age judge who will order a woman to strip naked in court before entering a plea, because he needs a holistic view of her...

Post by **mistermack** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 12:49 pm

JimC wrote:Somewhere, someday, there will be a new-age judge who will order a woman to strip naked in court before entering a plea, because he needs a holistic view of her...

I think that already happens. I was outside a court the other day, and I heard the judge shout ''take them down''.
Justice will prevail.

rationalia.com

London woman told to remove burka by judge

London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Re: London woman told to remove burka by judge

Who is online