Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Italy: Trainee lawyer thrown out of court for wearing hijab.

(Bologna)  When trainee lawyer Asmae Belfakir turned up for court with her head covered, the Judge Giancarlo Mozzarelli asked her to either to remove her hijab or leave the courtroom. Belkafir, chose to leave.  A note pinned up outside the room said "anyone who takes part in or attends the hearing cannot carry weapons or sticks and must have an uncovered head and keep silent." Naturally the usual suspects have got their knickers in a twist over this, despite the law being very clear on the matter which states at Article 129 of the code of civil procedure which lays down that those who take part in hearings must have their heads uncovered".

The leftwing Free and Equal (LeU) party urged the judiciary's self-governing body, the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM), to overrule the judge, saying "freedom to express one's religion should be upheld" and the  Bologna Islamic community saying "it is urgent that the competent authorities clear up this case".Community coordinator Yassine Lafram said "there are no laws banning the veil in a courtroom" and said the judge had voiced an "arbitrary position".

Clearly they aren’t familiar with Article 129.