“Once there are multiple spectators in the public gallery wearing niqabs and traditional Islamic dress, working out who was who if something happened in court might not be a simple matter, especially as such dress tends to be very similar. I have previously indicated that, whilst all are welcome in my court, spectators in the public gallery must have their faces uncovered, chiefly for security reasons.”
Common sense. But watch for the cries of “Islamophobia.”
“Terror accused’s wife banned from wearing niqab in court,” by Erin Pearson, The Age, July 17, 2018:
A Supreme Court judge has banned the wife of an accused terrorist from wearing a niqab veil in the court’s public gallery.
The woman, who is married to a man accused of plotting a Christmas Day terrorist attack at Melbourne landmarks, had her application to wear the garment dismissed in court.
Justice Christopher Beale ruled Supreme Court spectators must have their faces uncovered in order to prevent misbehaviour in the courtroom that could lead to the discharging of a jury.
A niqab is a traditional Muslim garb that covers the head and face except for an opening for the eyes.
“Requiring spectators’ faces to be uncovered is, in my view, the least restrictive means of upholding court security,” Justice Beale said.
The applicant is the wife of an accused terrorist, who is facing a six-week trial in the Supreme Court after allegedly planning an attack with explosive devices and weapons on Christmas Day 2016 at Melbourne locations including Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Justice Beale said that if one person were to be approved to wear the veil, others would soon follow, with three accused Muslim extremists facing trial over this particular case.
“Once there are multiple spectators in the public gallery wearing niqabs and traditional Islamic dress, working out who was who if something happened in court might not be a simple matter, especially as such dress tends to be very similar,” he said.
“I have previously indicated that, whilst all are welcome in my court, spectators in the public gallery must have their faces uncovered, chiefly for security reasons.”…