The Editor,
Re: "Veil lifted on fairness," Editorial, Dec. 28.
We are repeatedly informed that the wearing of the Niqab is not a dictate from the Quran.
In fact, the Muslim Canadian Congress in October 2009 called for a ban on the Niqab and Burka, saying they had no basis in Islam and marginalized women who wear them.
So why are we still treating the wearing of the Niqab and Burka in a religious context?
In many religions, men hold all the power and consequently men make all the rules. Their favourite rules usually have to do with the control of women's bodies.
Some women feel pressured to conform to these demands.
The decision made by the Canadian Supreme Court on leaving the wearing of the Niqab in Canadian courts up to judges is ridiculous.
This is leaving all the trials involving Niqabs open to appeal from one side or the other, ad infinitum.
I have no sympathy for convicted criminals, but until a jury declares the accused guilty, he/she is considered innocent.
Defense and prosecution lawyers know all too well when they question a witness their demeanor shows a lot about them.
Fidgeting, refusing to make eye contact or their facial expressions can inform a jury of how much credence, if any, to give each witness.
Hiding behind a veil claiming religious freedom robs an accused of some of the protection our courts guarantee him/her and is an affront to all we hold sacred in our courts of law.
Alan Halliday Richmond
