Toronto-area Muslim women to appeal veil-in-court decision

A Toronto-area Muslim woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by two men – and wants to give evidence in court wearing a niqab – is appealing an Ontario Superior Court ruling that initially appeared to be in her favour, but did not fully grant her the right to testify with her face covered. The…

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Court hearings consider whether Muslims may testify in Canada wearing veil

An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled there is no blanket right of a Muslim woman to wear a veil while testifying in court. Justice Frank Marrocco did not issue a broad finding under the Charter of Rights, however, and instead suggested this should be decided by judges on an individual basis in court proceedings….

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Ontario Superior Court judge told that justice “cannot be veiled”

Permitting alleged victims or any witness to wear a veil while testifying would fundamentally change core principles in the Canadian justice system, an Ontario Superior Court judge was told yesterday. Defense lawyer Jack Pinkofsky claimed that, “The face of justice cannot be faceless.” Superior Court Justice Frank Marrocco has been asked to decide whether an…

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Ontario Superior Court rules that RCMP undercover agent not guilty of entrapment

A judge has found that an RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) agent did not entrap a youth who has been convicted of a terrorism-related charge – paving the way for the young man’s sentencing. In a 53-page decision released in Brampton, ON, Justice John Sproat of the Ontario Superior Court ruled that Mubin Shaikh did…

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Canadian Superior Court Judge to rule on whether veil-wearing Muslim woman can testify

In a case believed to be a Canadian first, a Superior Court judge will hear arguments next week about whether a Muslim woman can testify in a sexual-assault case while wearing a veil that leaves only her eyes visible. The case turns on two competing human-rights principles: religious freedom versus the right of defendants to…

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